Caribbean (2007): Price as a Barrier to Condom Use: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

This report describes the results of an experiment aimed at determining whether and how a condom price reduction in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines would affect condom purchase and use and the overall condom market. A representative sample of sexually active males, ages 16-21, resident in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A randomized control trial was conducted with three treatment groups, one was offered the condom at $0.15 per condom in a package of three and the two others at $0.20 and $0.25 per condom in a package of three respectively. A two stage cluster sample was used, resulting in 819 completed interviews. Respondents were asked about their condom purchase and use behavior and then offered a package of three condoms, of a brand not currently offered on the market. By offering the new condom brand, respondents did not have a predetermined conception of price, thus replicating the decision making process that a consumer goes through when a new brand is launched. Once the interview was completed, respondents were offered the product to buy at one of the three price levels.