Need a condom? There’s an app for that, at least in New York City.

The NYC Condom Finder app, by NYC Health, uses GPS technology to help users find free condoms in the five boroughs of New York City.

Developed by the health department, the NYC Condom Finder was introduced on Valentine’s Day and offers 3,000 locations in the city. Directions to the addresses are given and tips on condom use are also provided.

With city themes like colorful subway maps on the wrappers, NYC Condom Finder can locate the five closest venues that distribute official NYC Condoms, according to a Feb. 16 Associated Press article.

The app is the latest effort by the health department to promote condom use through its free condom distribution program, the article stated.

The app is only available in New York City in the iPhone App Store or the Android Market.

While the app is not available in the Bloomington-Normal area yet, the G Spot on campus offers free condoms for students.

“The G Spot offers a wide-variety of health and wellness resources and information, including condoms. You can get five condoms for free,” Jim Almeda, health educator at the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, said.

Set up around different parts of campus, the G Spot is primarily open on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“Right now, we rotate setting up indoors in Watterson by the dining center, in Atkin-Colby by the dining center and on the second floor of Schroeder Hall. After spring break, we’ll be outdoors on the Quad,” Almeda said.

Along with free condoms, the G Spot offers male and female non-latex condoms, lubricants, flavored condoms and latex squares for use during oral sex, Almeda added.

“Many of these same products are also available at the Student Health Services pharmacy and at Health Promotion and Wellness in McCormick,” he said.

Resident assistants also receive supplies of condoms to have available on their floor, Almeda said.

The G Spot has been active since the fall of 2002. About 13,000 to 14,000 people stop by the G Spot every day, he added.

“According to surveys we conduct every two years at ISU, most students use condoms [about 76 percent in 2009],” Almeda added.

In regards to the NYC Condom Finder app, Almeda said any way of promoting condom use and helping people to find out where to get them can be helpful.

“We try to make is as convenient as possible,” he said.

“Student Health Services also offers contraceptive services, including exams, prescriptions and counseling, as well as pregnancy testing. SHS also offers STI testing and treatment,” Jean Swearingen, medical director at Student Health Services, said.

“Condoms are important to decrease the incidence of unwanted pregnancies and STIs. While they don’t prevent these possible consequences 100 percent, they definitely decrease the chances of either occurring,” Swearingen added.