The Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission and the Shanghai Education Commission plan to install condom vending machines on campuses throughout the city by the end of this year.

So far only 13 of 61 universities and colleges have installed condom vending machines.

The machines are usually set up in a clinic, beside dormitory gates or in bathrooms. A survey by the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission found that 85 percent of college students consider it most convenient to get condoms from vending machines. They feel too embarrassed to purchase condoms at a pharmacy or adult shop.

As sales from vending machines remain high, the commission has hired maintenance staff to look after the machines and guarantee an adequate supply.

"In recent years an increasing number of students including many undergraduates have asked about pregnancy and abortion. They were unaware of contraception or the potential harm of abortion surgery," a commission employee said. "A domestic survey showed most university students do not wear condoms when having sex."

Some universities allowed the vending machines on campus thinking they would help students to practice safe sex and learn how to protect themselves, but other schools have rejected it. They thought the vending machines would encourage students to have sex.

"Providing condom vending machines does not equal the promotion of sexual behavior," said a commission official. "It's all about setting up the correct idea and a sense of responsibility about it."

"With the development of the times, it is essential to provide sex education lectures and publicize sex health information for students.''

(Shanghai Daily August 19, 2008)