Are condoms the answer to rising rates of non-HIV sexually transmitted infections? Yes

As a medical student who lives and hopes to work in Merthyr Tydfil, a
town which has some of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies and Sexual
transmitted infection rates in the UK and indeed, Europe I welcome any
scheme that reduces these less than proud acolades that my home town
currently holds.

Young people are engaging in sexual intercourse at a younger age and
without regard to the risks and long term consequences of their actions. I
feel that condoms are a proven method of safe sex, and can be made
available to all, irrespective of wealth or social status. What is needed
more than ever is open access clinics in some of the poorest parts of the
UK so that people can access contraception, education and advice in a non-
stigmatising environment. Removing the taboo surrounding contraception and
STIs will encourage safer sexual practices.

The call this week by a Welsh MP to expand the availability of
condoms to teenagers and improve the sex education programmes in place
only strengthens Steiner and Cates' argument. They share the vision that
condoms are a cheap, effective and practical method of reducing infections
and unwanted pregnancies. Two issues that are currently costing the NHS
large amounts of money that could be better spent improving the health of
the nation.

Competing interests:
None declared