|
13th International AIDS ConferenceDurban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000 |
Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. MoOrC132)
Mobley S, Fisher A, Rutenberg N
S. Mobley, Population Council/Horizons, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008, United States, Tel.: +202 237 9400, Fax: +202 237 8410, E-mail: smobley@pcdc.org
BACKGROUND: The Population Council's Horizons Project, in collaboration with Population Services International/Zimbabwe, surveyed female condom users and nonusers of either male or female condoms in several urban areas of Zimbabwe. The major objectives were to identify the barriers and enabling factors affecting the initiation of use, the negotiation process, and the continued use of the female condom. The researchers also sought to learn about the perceptions of female condom users compared to male condom users and nonusers of either method about the efficacy, reliability, ease of use, and affordability of male and female condoms.
METHOD: Customers patronizing female condom distribution outlets (pharmacies, grocery and retail stores, etc.) were intercepted, screened for age and sexual activity in the past 12 months, and asked whether they had ever used the female condom or male condom in that time period. The age groupings consisted of women from 16-44 years and men from 16-49 years. In total, 492 female condom ever users, 1,055 male condom users, and 989 nonusers of either method were surveyed as a part of this study. Among the male and female ever users of the female condom, the study focused on (1) whether they represented a previously unprotected group or if they were previously protected through use of the male condom, (2) what role the female condom played in reducing their risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS, and (3) what circumstances prompted continued use or discontinuation of use of the female condom.
RESULTS: Major findings revealed that the female condom was used sporadically and primarily on an experimental/novelty basis. Female condom users were principally of a higher socioeconomic group and had received a higher level of education than nonusers and male condom users. Women users appear to negotiate use of the female condom as a family planning method rather than as a method for disease prevention.
CONCLUSIONS: The female condom may not be appropriate for everyone of reproductive age but may be useful in situations where women find themselves at risk and the male condom is not an option.
Copyright © 2000 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.
