AEGiS-15IAC: Availability and acceptability of female condoms and condoms in rural South Africa.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Availability and acceptability of female condoms and condoms in rural South Africa.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. ThOrE1378)

Mabasa S, Madondile N, Nsaluba A
MSF, Lusikisiki, South Africa

ISSUES: HIV prevention is key to sustainable mass ARV intervention. 98% of South African adults are aware that unprotected sex leads to HIV/AIDS. Yet condom usage is low, and 1500 new infections occur daily. This is often interpreted as knowledge not translating to practice. However a real problem is a lack of availability of condoms and a complete absence of female condoms. The department of health distributes eight condoms for every sexually active person per year only and not a single female condom in some provinces.

DESCRIPTION: As part of comprehensive PHC (including ARVs) provided by MOH and MSF in the rural Lusikisiki district distribution of condoms was intensified and female condoms introduced. A pre-intervention study showed that only 21% of adults and 26% of youth had access to condoms. For many the only condoms were 15 km away (on foot). However a third used condoms. Workshops empowered clinic committees and Treatment Action Campaign activists to determine 120 distribution sites, one per village around the 12 PHC clinics. Condoms and femidoms were supplied to these points monthly. Brief questionnaires on quantity of condoms and female condoms distributed per outlet with breakdown into age and gender are used for management purposes. Attitudes toward sexuality, condoms and female condoms will again be assessed and reported now that access has been improved.

LESSONS LEARNED: Men and women of all ages readily made use of all outlets. Condom distribution increased to 7,2 condom per estimated sexually active person per month. Demand for female condoms cannot be calculated accurately as demand was continuously higher than supply however now made up 5,6% of total condom usage. A better supply route has now been secured and updated data will be presented.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Rural municipalities should use their HIV budgets and vehicles to do bulk distribution of condoms to each village. This should include female condoms.

Keywords: AEGIS, Condoms, Female, Condoms, Unsafe Sex, Safe Sex, Sexual Behavior, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Health Services Accessibility, Rural Population, HIV Seropositivity, South Africa, Humans, Female, Male, Adult

040711
ThOrE1378