Better fitting condoms could cut sexually transmitted diseases

Poorly fitting condoms raise the risks of infection and pregnancy, according to a survey of 436 men reported in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. Ill-fitting condoms more than doubled the chances of them splitting or slipping off, and doubled the chance of men taking them off midway through sex. Out of the 436 men, 195 reported that their last sexual encounter involved an ill-fitting condom. A total of 120 of these said that this had reduced their own sexual pleasure, and 57 said it had reduced it for their partner. Problems were far less frequent among men who reported a well-fitted condom.

One solution, according to the US researchers, would be better public health efforts to make sure that men achieved the best fit. Simon Blake, from advisory charity Brook, said that, used correctly, condoms were 98% effective and protected against both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. 

However, while different sizes and shapes are available in Europe and the US, Gill Gordon, from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, and says the size and fit issue must be addressed if condoms are to be used effectively to reduce the number of new HIV infections in Africa, "If we are serious about people being able to use condoms consistently, then we need to listen to their needs," she said. Source: BBC, 16 February, 2010. tinyurl.com/yhzto57

No cure for IVF errors

The chairman of the British Fertility Society has warned that IVF mix-ups, in which women are given someone else's embryo, will continue to happen. Recently a couple were told that their last frozen embryo had been mistakenly implanted into another patient. The woman went on to have a termination after being was told that she had been inseminated with a child that was not her own. A trainee embryologist was said to have taken the embryo from the wrong shelf at the IVF clinic, based at the University Hospital of Wales. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) already requires a system of "double witnessing" in which staff check and document each other's work, to reduce the risk of such mistakes. But the case has led to calls that embryos should be electronically "tagged" to prevent mix-ups ever happening again. Mr Rutherford said: "Everybody working in this field wants to avoid a mix up... but we do live in the real world and unfortunately when humans are involved there will be mistakes. But the risks are incredibly small". According to the Telegraph, some centres are reportedly experimenting with an electronic system, involving bar codes and alarms, to replace "double witnessing". But Mr Rutherford said that there were no guarantees that they would be any more successful than the current system. Source: Telegraph, 26 June 2009. tinyurl.com/km2uov

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Science writer Dr Simon Singh appeals against chiropractic libel judgement

The Guardian reports on a legal case with significant implications for science journalism and claims made by healthcare practitioners. Dr Simon Singh, a leading science writer who is being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), is taking his case to the Court of Appeal after a preliminary judgement went against him. In the original Guardian article, Singh criticised the BCA for claiming that its members could use spinal manipulation to treat children with colic, ear infections, asthma, sleeping and feeding conditions, and prolonged crying. Singh described the treatments as "bogus" and based on insufficient evidence, and criticised the BCA for "happily promoting" them. According to The Guardian, the BCA denied these criticisms and maintained that the efficacy of chiropractic treatments is well documented. At a preliminary hearing in May to decide the meaning of the article, Mr Justice Eady ruled that Singh's wording implied that the BCA was being consciously dishonest, an interpretation denied by Singh. Singh is appealing the ruling, and will take the case to the European courts if the appeal fails. The case has led to a campaign to raise awareness of English libel laws, which critics claim can stifle legitimate and open debate about scientific and health issues. A summary of articles on the issue is contained on Singh's Sense about Science website. Source: Guardian, 4 June 2009. tinyurl.com/op6och

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