Table 1.

Suggested Innovative Condom Physical Properties and Traits

Trait	Description	Choice condom	Suggested innovations
Color	Condom color(s)/hue(s)	White hue	Increase colors available, e.g. Black, purple, white, flesh, red, green, multi-colored
Opacity	Transparency of condom	Transparent	Increase variety of opacity available, e.g. 100% transparent, 50% transparent, opaque
Design	Visual patterns or designs on condom	None	Increase design options, e.g. “The South African flag…zebra-colored…the big five [lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo]” (F/IDI)
Shape	The outline of the entire condom when rolled out	Standard parallel sided straight condom with tip	Allow shape to mold to wearer’s penile dimensions better, e.g. “If it goes with the shape of your penis, it’s a good thing.” (M/FGD)
Texture	The consistency of the condom surface	Smooth surface: “Too smooth” (M/FGD)	Increase texture of condoms, e.g. “Bumps on the upper head” (M/FGD)
Length	The distance of a condom from the tip to the base when it is fully rolled out	178 mm, which did not fit all men adequately	Increase options and range of condom length, e.g. 80–240 mm
Width/Girth	The diameter of the condom at the base	52 mm, which did not fit all men adequately	Increase options and range of condom width/girth, e.g. 41–69 mm
Thickness	The distance between the inner layer and the outer layer of the condom	0.06 – 0.08 mm, which is considered to be too thick: “More thickef” (M/FGD)	Increase options for latex thickness as some participants wanted a thicker condom to prevent STI transmission while others wanted a thinner latex, e.g. “Definitely the thickness of the latex.” (F/IDI)
Smell	The odor of the condom	“Bad” odor (M/FGD): “A little bit oily” (M/FGD) “Disgusting” (F/IDI) “Stinks!” (M/FGD)	Increase the variety of smells available, e.g. “A nice smell.flowers… chocolate ” (M/FGD) “Chocolate cake” (M/FGD) “Strawberry” (M/FGD)
Taste	The flavor of the condom	Unflavored	Increase the variety of condom flavors/tastes available, e.g. “Strawberry, banana, grapes” (M/FGD)
“Feel”	The perceived tactile sensation of condom by both users	Not enough “skin to skin” feeling	Increase facilitation of the tactile sensation of condomless sex, e.g. “More skin to skin feeling with your partner. ” (M/FGD) “They must make it so it’spart of the skin.” (F/IDI)
Durability	The ability of the condom to withstand damage	Easily breakable: “Choice ones are easy to break.” (M/FGD)	Increase durability of condoms, e.g. “[Condoms] must have a guarantee that it will never break!” (M/FGD) “I think the does not break will increase will increase the fun. [A condom breaking] is the worst.” (M/FGD)
Material composition	The matter from which the condom is made	Latex, but participants perceive it as “Plastic” (M/FGD)	Manufacture condoms from a more “A natural material” (M/FGD)
Lubrication	The presence and degree to which a condom has a friction minimizing substance	Lubrication is not appropriate for all users, some comments that condoms are “It’s dry, it’s dry” (M/FGD) while others believe “I don’t like the woman to be wet before you make her wet.” (M/FGD)	Allow for user to choose lubrication level, e.g. More lubrication as, “Must be lubricated.doesn’t hurt you.” (F/IDI) “Lubrication can change the condom completely.” (F/IDI)
Plasticity	The ability of a condom to mould to the wearer’s penile dimensions	Condoms do not mould to penile dimensions, e.g. “His dick is too big. Like seriously. It’s too big. So like condoms are tight on him.” (F/IDI)	Increase plasticity of condoms for a better fit, e.g. “[Condoms] must also be able to fit the man. (M/FGD)
Mode of application	The manner in which a condom is placed	Roll down, which is not enough options	Increase options for different modes of application e.g. “Sshhh [makes noise of spray can and motions spraying groin region] you just put on like that.” (M/FGD)
Coverage	The surface area of the genitalia that is protected by the condom	From base to head, which is not enough coverage	Provide a more full coverage condom, e.g. “Ideally it will cover my balls.” (M/FGD) “So, it’s better that you get a condom that will cover you when you get, when you do the frictions” (M/FGD)
Multiple-use	The ability of a condom to be reused repeatedly	One-time use, which is not enough usage	Increase usage of each condom, e.g. “Then like each and every time just use that condom you wash it… when you want to use it, just put that special oil.” (M/FGD)