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Background: Philadelphia is in the top 10 among large cities for sexually transmitted diseases, excluding HIV. Many of these cases are among adolescents. Philadelphia expanded its Condom Distribution Program (CDP) in April 2011 to increase availability of free condoms to adolescents. This included introducing a free condom mailing program for 13-19 year olds living in Philadelphia.
Objectives: To reduce barriers to the procurement of condoms for adolescents in Philadelphia.
Methods: Through the PDPH-STD website, TakeControlPhilly.org, interested parties can fill out an online request form. This request is then processed to ensure that it meets all of the required criteria; Philadelphia residency, attested to age of 13-19 years, valid mailing address, and a monthly limit of two requests. Upon approval, a padded envelope is mailed containing 10 condoms, 10 lubricants, instructions on proper condom usage, a phone number to request mailing list removal, and directions to TakeControlPhilly.org for information about STDs and sexual health.
Results: 2,578 condom requests were mailed to teenagers in Philadelphia from April 7, 2011 through September 29, 2011. Of these requests, 88% were from unique individuals. Overall, 20% of requesters were13-15 years old and 80% were aged 16-19. A very small percentage (<0.5%) of unique condom requesters have requested to be removed from the list because of receipt of condoms in error. There have been zero reports of the delivery of damaged condoms.
Conclusions: Philadelphia’s free condom mailing program has delivered condoms to teens in every residential zip code in the city.
Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: This program is still in its early stages of development; however, early indications show that it may be a useful tool for the direct delivery of free condoms to a target demographic. Additional research will be needed to assess its effectiveness at increasing condom use and reducing STD incidence.