Female Condom: Acceptability and Perception among Rural Women

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Dear Forum,

This is a study on Female Condom carried out in rural Zimbabwe The Female

Condom: Acceptability and Perception among Rural Women in Zimbabwe (PubMed

abstract) Afr J Reprod Health. 2003 Dec;7(3):101-16.

The female condom: acceptability and perception among rural women in Zimbabwe.

Francis-Chizororo M, Natshalaga NR. Institute of Development Studies, University

of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.

jmchiz@...

This study was conducted to generate data for developing an action plan for

accessing the female condom through primary health care centres in Zimbabwe. It

used both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather information from

sexually active women and men on the perception and acceptability of the female

condom among users in rural areas of Zimbabwe.

The findings show that very few women had used the female condom prior to the

survey. Several women (93%) liked the condom especially young women aged 20-39

years (83%), compared to older women aged 40 years and above (11%). Both women

and men liked the dual role of contraception and protection against STIs

including HIV/AIDS played by the female condom. Most women (98%) felt that it is

important for women to have their own condom. However, both men and women

pointed out that it will be difficult to introduce the female condom in married

situations due to the stigma associated with condoms in general. Over 80% of

women said they will have to seek permission from their partners to use the

female condom. Women had problems with inserting the condom and were concerned

with lubrication, size and appearance, and how to dispose of used condom.

Regarding cost, 77% felt that the female condom is too expensive given that the

male condom can be obtained free from health centres. The cost of the female

condom could hinder its continued use and would encourage women, especially

commercial sex workers, to re-use it. Respondents still require more information

relating to side effects (45%), effectiveness in STIs prevention including

HIV/AIDS (44%), proper use (43%) and cost (32%).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstra\

ct & list_uids=15055153