correlated penis size with socio-economic status, geographical
location and the overall dimensions of the male.
The ICMR, which has been coordinating the study, is likely to publish
its findings in early 2007. The researchers have surveyed 1,400 men
visiting family planning centres in seven hospitals, including KEM in
Parel, AIIMS in Delhi and PGI, Chandigarh.
The length and width of each erect penis was measured twice and a
digital photograph taken. In KEM Hospital, it was the departments of
urology and preventive and social medicine which monitored
participants. The group was an equal mix of urban and rural folk in
the 18-50 age group. ICMR had requested the Indian Institute of
Technology in Delhi to devise ways to measure an erect penis.
"We had devised an automated system in which an image of the penis
would be taken and the computer would interpret different dimensions,"
said professor of biomedical engineering, IIT Kharagpur Sujoy Guha,
who headed the project.
However, this was later discarded for a simple paper-tape that was
found to be more practical. While ICMR scientists refused to comment
on the findings "as the data is still being analysed", sources
admitted that a smaller exploratory study had conclusively showed that
the condoms presently available in the market were indeed oversized
for Indian men.
The inter-city study drew much interest at the recently-concluded
Asia-Pacific Conference of the Society of Sexual Medicine in Mumbai
(even as the Germans are about to launch spray-on, fit-for-all-sizes
condoms). An international delegate at the conference pointed out that
if the study made geographical distinctions in sizes, it may cause
discomfort among men in different regions.
