As per the National Family health Survey-4, 78 per cent of young males, between the ages 20-24, did not use a contraceptive with their last sexual partner. A population Council study in 2011, titled ‘Condom Use Before marriage and Its Correlates: Evidence from India’ found that seven per cent of young women and 27 per cent of young men had ever used condoms in pre-marital sex while only three per cent and 13 per cent respectively always used a condom. The report attempts to demystify the social and psychological reasons that create a barrier for use through the following key questions:

“Why do I need a condom?” — The lack of awareness about the rather serious and grim repercussions

“Is using a condom the right decision?” — Myths and misconceptions related to use

“How do I procure a condom?” — The barriers faced in the last mile.