lds the wearer's penis from exposure to germs in cervical, vaginal, or rectal secretions or lesions (Can You Rely, 1989, p. 135). For the partner, the condom prevents contact with potentially infectious semen and any lesions on the wearer's penis (Can You Rely, 1989, p. 135). So effective is the intact latex condom at preventing STDS, that since 1987, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has let manufacturers list a roster of diseases that condoms can help prevent (Can You Rely, 1989, p. 135). These include syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and AIDs (Can You Rely, 1989, p. 135).
The problem is that condoms are subject to failure. As a means of contraception, for instance, that failure rate can range from 2%-14% (Billow, 1992, p. 55). Furthermore, a mere one-time exposure to the bodily fluids of an infected person can result in transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Sottile Malona, 1991, p. 317). Thus, condom efficacy rates are of major consequence. As is true with most drugs and medical devices, efficacy is a combination of method and user failure (Steiner et al., 1992, p. 279). With condoms, one of the most important factors is quality (Steiner et al., 1992, p. 279).
When they became popular in the 1930s, many latex condoms--one report estimates as many as 75%--were in some way defective (Can You Rely, 1989, p. 136). That prompted Congress to ask the FDA to start a program of testing (Can You Rely, 198,9, p. 136). With the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, this program has been dramatically expanded (Can You Rely, 1989, p. 136).
Since April 1987, FDA inspectors have begun showing up unannounced at condom factories to review records and sample condoms at random (Sa
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