AEGiS-13IAC: How health care providers and health services influences the acceptability of the female condom: The experience in Brazil.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

How health care providers and health services influences the acceptability of the female condom: The experience in Brazil.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. MoOrC133)

Kalckmann S, Barbosa RM, Berqu E
R.M.~Barbosa, Instituto de Saude, Rua Claudino Alves 44 apt.34, Sao Paulo -SP, 02037-010, Brazil, Tel.: +55 11 3106 7328, Fax: +55 11 3106 7328, E-mail: fesuz@uol.com.br

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS/STI epidemic is increasing among women in Brazil , however this fact is not followed by relevant adoption of prevention practices. Epidemiologic data shows an important need to increase HIV/AIDS/STI prevent programs targeting women. In 98/99 the Brazilian Health Ministry implemented a large research project to evaluate the female condom acceptability in different regions of the country. This study discuss the influences of services and health care providers attitudes during the introduction of the female condom(FC) in public health services in Brazil.

METHODS: From July 1998 and August 1999 a longitudinal study to evaluate the acceptability of the FC was conducted by the Brazilian Center for Analysis and Planning (CEBRAP) and Nucleus for Population (NEPO) in 20 public health services located in six large Brazilian cities. A total of 2543 women were included in the study. All women eligible participated at educational sessions and answered to standard questionnaires. Out of 2543 a total of 1859 women were analysed to evaluate how local HCP's and services behavior may influence FC use.

RESULTS: The consistent FC use was higher in services that traditionally worked with the community. Although 93% of the women reported advantages in using the FC, almost 40% of all women included in the study reported difficulties in dealing with FC use at the beginning. Counseling and educational activities helped to overcome the initial difficulties .

CONCLUSIONS: Study results show that there is an important need to integrate FC access and distribution into the public health services integrate with the provision of counseling and education for its use. Training of health care providers should include the discussion of gender roles, sexual, reproductive rights and health.

Keywords: AEGIS, Condoms, Female, Health Personnel, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Counseling, Health Services Needs and Demand, Teaching, Longitudinal Studies, Brazil, Human, Female, Education
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MoOrC133