The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has distributed 100 million condoms in Nepal through its various projects in the past 23 years.

Marking the 100 millionth condom distribution in a programme on Thursday, the USAID said condom use has helped to decrease the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate from 0.52 percent (about 60,000 people) in 2003 to 0.20 percent (39,249 people) in 2014.

The USAID has been distributing condoms in Nepal since 1993, which played a major role in preventing new HIV infections. The global report shows that an estimated 50 million HIV infections have been averted through condom use since the 1980s.

“Correct and consistent condom use remains one of the most effective ways of averting new HIV/AIDS infections,” read a statement issued by Sath-Sath Project of the USAID. “Nepal’s HIV epidemic is mainly driven by heterosexual transmission and is concentrated among certain key populations such as sex workers, migrants and people who inject drugs.”

Speaking at the event, Satish Pandey, the Saath-Saath Project Chief of Party said that condom promotion and use is widely acknowledged as one of the most effective tools for HIV prevention. “A condom is the only tool that can effectively prevent HIV, sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy,” Pandey said.

Condoms are proven to be 98 percent effective in preventing HIV and STIs.