Pill scores over rubber!

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Pill scores over rubber!

While there has been a sharp dip in the sales of condoms, the number of oral

contraceptives being sold has risen in the national capital. Experts say the

trend isn't disturbing, it just shows women are more aware

By PTI

Posted On Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:30:07 AM

New Delhi: Use of condoms among sexually active people in the national capital

is on the decline while oral pills are gaining more popularity as an effective

contraceptive measure.

As per latest city government statistics, the usage of condoms has declined to

94,76,000 in the year 2008-09 from 1,23,77,000 in 2006-07.

Although use of condoms has gone down over the last three years, it still

continues to be the most preferred contraceptive option among the Delhiites.

During the same period, preference for oral pills have gone up significantly.

In the year 2008-09, the demand for oral pills had risen to 1,81,412 from

1,19,549 in the year 2006-07, according to the Delhi Statistical handbook.

Officials said the data was collected from various government hospitals and

health centres as well as chemist shops across the city.

Director of Delhi Health Services S Bhattacharjee said the trend of preferring

oral pills over condoms is not disturbing.

" It shows the growing awareness among the women about use of contraceptive

methods. The trend is not disturbing, " he said replying to a question on whether

decline in use of condoms may increase the possibility of a rise in HIV and AIDS

patients in the city.

Bhattacharjee said people now have a range of options to avoid pregnancy and

that may the reason behind the decline in use of condoms in the city.

An official of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said the decline in

condom use may have been the result of Government's aggressive family control

programme but claimed that use of condoms for prevention of HIV and AIDS have

actually gone up in the city.

" Various market surveys indicate that the use of condoms for prevention of HIV

and AIDS has actually gone up in Delhi. So we are not at all worried, " said

Gaurav Jain of NACO's condom unit.

Jain said the belief that usage of condom reduces sexual pleasure may be one of

the factors behind the decline in condom use.

As per the statistics, in the year 2008-09, 5,282 men and 24,149 women in the

capital went for sterilisation, which is a permanent means of contraception.

The number of men opting for sterilisation in the year 2006-07 was 1,320 while

in the same year 27,562 women went for it.

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