The Indian state of Maharashtra is a “hot spot” for HIV/AIDS in India, which has 2.47 million HIV infected persons, the third highest number in any country. The Governments of the United States and India are collaborating to mitigate the impact of the deadly disease.

The Maharashtra Condom Social Marketing Program targets high-risk populations in 22 high prevalence districts in Maharashtra state. High risk populations include prostitutes, men sleeping with men (MSM), and clients of prostitutes. The goal of the condom social marketing program is to ensure availability and accessibility of high quality condoms to high-risk groups and people engaged in high-risk behavior. HLFPPT works closely with Avert project, and coordinates with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other condom social marketing partners in expanding the program among high-risk groups and avoids duplication of efforts.

The key activities of the Maharashtra Condom Social Marketing Program are:

• Mapping of retail outlets in the high-risk areas of 22 districts of Maharashtra state;
• Establishes partnerships with social marketing organizations and manufacturers;
• Training of the retail outlets in high-risk areas to stock and sell condoms;
• Conducting training on social marketing for NGOs and community-based organizations;
• Designing and implementing a generic condom promotion campaign for high-risk groups;
• Conducting quality assessment of condoms available in areas with high-risk behavior;
• Promotion of female condoms;
• Promotion of special condoms for MSM;
• Establishing condom vending machines in areas with high-risk behavior; and
• Capacity building of Maharashtra and Goa State AIDS Control Societies.