The Estimation of Condom Needs in Thailand

Abstract

This quantitative and policy study was conducted to estimate condom requirements in Thailand in 2021 based on the needs of each key population in controlling transmission of HIV and family planning at country level. The study methods included literature reviews from trusted surveys, reports, research publications for the sizes of key populations: HIV infected persons, sex workers, men having sex with men, sexually active teenagers, persons having sex with a non-regular partner, couples requiring using condoms for family planning, drug users by injection and transgender women. Reviews on sexual behaviors (frequency, condom use) and condom wastages were also conducted to be used as inputs in the mathematical model. The Building Robust Condom Programs-Condom Needs and Resource Requirement Estimation, developed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), was the main tool for estimation. Series of meetings at Department of Disease Control and related stakeholders were held to scrutinize data inputs for this estimation and validate outputs from the model for further policy development. It was found that Thailand required 238,356,555 condoms in 2021 inclusive of 135,979,875 condoms and 44,406,320 lubricants distributed free of charge. Key populations for targeted distributions were female sex workers (31% of total condoms), men who have sex with men either high or low risk (25%), followed by people infected with HIV, couples wanting family planning and youth aged 15 - 24 years. Thus, the government agencies (Department of Disease Control and the National Health Security Office) should coordinate in proposing budgets and distribution of condoms and lubricants to the right key populations to achieve the highest externalities of condom use in Thailand.