2.  Objective : To establish an estimate of condom effectiveness in HIV prevention, based upon available studies of serodiscordant heterosexual couples.  Method : Studies to be included were searched using electronic databases and handsearched reference lists. › Method of Analysis: Chi-square test › Effectiveness was calculated by taking one minus the ratio of the HIV incidence among always condom users to that among never condom users.

3.  Results: › 4709 references were obtained from electronic searches. Only 14 were included in the review. › 13 cohorts of “always” users:  11 seroconversions out of 587  964.3 person-years observation time (1.6 years/person)  HIV incidence estimate = 1.14 [95% C.I.:.56, 2.04] per 100 person-years › 10 cohorts of “never” users:  40 seroconversions in 276 individuals  598.61 person-years of disease-free time (2.169 years/person) › Effectiveness = 80.2% (ranging from 35.4-94.2%)

4.  Conclusion : Consistent condom use is effective in reducing sexual transmssion of HIV, but does not eliminate the risk of HIV transmssion. Condom effectiveness is similar to, but somewhat less effective, than for pregnancy. REFERENCE: Weller S, Davis, K.. Condom effectiveness in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2003. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.