TESIS distributes the condoms for free, recognizing that many commercial sex workers do not have the money to buy condoms. In addition, the sex workers are informed about the importance of using condoms to prevent HIV/STDs and to protect their dependants. Education activities include group work, individual counselling and demonstrations of correct condom use.

Condoms are also distributed to motels frequented by commercial sex workers, by convincing motel owners to make condoms available in their businesses at a price which is acceptable in relation to the room rate. TESIS purchases the condoms from a notforprofit company (the sale of donated condoms is not permitted and condoms are not available at reasonable prices on the local market).

When a condom social marketing (CSM) project started in Central America in 1998, it sold condoms of the same quality as the ones offered by TESIS for free. The only difference was the packaging. The CSM project charged for the condoms to sustain its programme and to market the condom. When they introduced the condom, the condom donors reduced their condom donations and TESIS lost its normal quota for free condom distribution.

Although the CSM project claimed the price was affordable throughout Central America, the poor women that TESIS worked with could not pay for it. TESIS negotiated a condom promotion scheme at a lower price for the poorest sectors of society. The condom quality is the same, but it comes in a simpler packing. In exchange TESIS gives the condom sales promoters access to commercial sex workers and motel owners. In this case, the condom price is 60% of the originally established retail price. With this strategy, TESIS hopes to fill the gaps that could not be filled by the CSM project.

José Pauw, Asociación de Trabajadores para la Educación, Salud e Integración Social (TESIS), Apartado Postal 1186, Managua, Nicaragua; Tel and Fax: 5052-663885; e-mail: tesis@ibw.com.ni