FRONTIERS PROJECT
Understanding Successful Condom Use in the Dominican Republic

A collaboration between the Center for Orientation and Integrated Investigation (COIN), the Ministry of Health, the Dominican Association for the Well-Being of the Family (PROFAMILIA), and FRONTIERS, this study aimed to identify and study the factors behind “successful” condom users (those who used condoms correctly and consistently) to assess ways of developing positive and creative condom promotion strategies. Focus group discussions with students, factory workers, and high-risk groups showed that strategies to motivate partners to use condoms included discussing condom use, explaining health and safety reasons for use, and carrying a supply. Successful users have more positive opinions about the personal benefits of condom use, including better hygiene and more relaxed and enjoyable relationships.

---

Location

Dominican Republic

Duration

October 2001–July 2003

Population Council researcher

Sandra Garcia

Non-Council collaborators

Center for Orientation and Integrated Investigation (Centro  de Orientación e Investigatión Integral or COIN)

Dominican Association for the Well-Being of the Family (Asociación Dominicana Pro-Bienestar de la Familia or PROFAMILIA)

Ministry of Health

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type. 

2005
"Dominican Republic and Mexico: Promote condom use by emphasizing personal benefits," FRONTIERS OR Summary no. 50. Washington, DC: Population Council. (full text)

---

See Also

• Dominican Republic

• Contraception

• HIV and AIDS/Prevention

• FRONTIERS Dominican Republic

• FRONTIERS Contraception

• FRONTIERS HIV Prevention

---