Bad Condoms Contribute to Africa's AIDS Spread

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Bad Condoms Contribute to Africa's AIDS Spread

San Jose Mercury News Online (12/27/98)
McNeil Jr., Donald G.

Some condom makers have reportedly been releasing sub-standard products in Africa, which could lead to the increased spread of HIV. Although experts say that most of the condoms are good and the influx of poor-quality condoms has been reduced, some manufacturers may be releasing brittle, leaky, or ill- fitting condoms. Over 4 million Kenzo brand condoms from Polo Latex of Calcutta, India, are being returned to the manufacturer after they were sent to South Africa without testing. When the condoms were checked, as many as 48 out of 200 in some test batches broke. Andrew Crichton, a consultant for the South African Health Department, said that there was sand inside some of the foil packets and that a number of the containers had water marks and were disintegrating. There have also been problems with other brands, including Twin Lotus condoms from China. Five years ago in Zimbabwe, 24 million Malaysian-made condoms by Dongkuk Techo Rubber failed tests, although the company asserts that the condoms only failed because standards were raised after the condoms were made. There are other problems with condoms in many other areas as well, including a lack of funds to procure them and difficulties in condom promotion.

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