reading the MANY sites with info on this, it seems that there is much dispute on whether condoms are really safe or not, but it is certainly clear that they are safer than doing without.

Confusing rubber glove tests with condom tests, along with the # of dippings in latex makes it hard to sort out the truth..


this page includes the following:

"...electron microscopy of condom latex has shown that there are NO pores (sources include The Latex Condom: Recent Advances, Future Directions. Family Health International, 1998, pg 9, book distributed by WHO as part of the Male Latex Condom Manual) – this in effect also answers Dr B Z Avah's question (3/30/2004) in that (a) there are no pores, their supposed existence is a dangerous myth or, worse, deliberate misinformation and (b) male latex condoms are extremely efficient barriers to HIV infection – on this last point, pls see also WHO/UNAIDS Information Note, Geneva, 16 August 2001- Effectiveness of Latex Condoms,
http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/rtis/male_condom.html"