Use of the Free Male Condom Scheme in Young Adults Aged 18 to 25

For several years, the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been rising sharply, while that of HIV has stagnated. This is due to the decline in condom use since the late 1990s, despite the fact that condom are considered the only effective way to prevent STIs.

In France, 40% of STIs concern young people aged 15 to 25. The national public health strategy aims to stem the circulation of HIV and eliminate STIs as a major public health problem by 2030. To achieve this, several measures have been implemented: reimbursement of male condoms on prescription (2018), 100% free contraception and prevention in sexual health consultation (2021), and more recently, free, non-prescription access to male condoms in pharmacies (end 2022).