Promoting Female Condom Use Among Female University Students in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Results of a Randomized Behavioral Trial

Abstract

Relatively few interventions have tested the efficacy of female condom promotion either alone or in combination with other barrier methods. We evaluated the efficacy of a two-session (enhanced) cognitive-behavioral intervention (EI) (n=147) against aone-session control (minimal) educational intervention (MI) (n=149) to promote female condom (FC) use among female students aged 18-28 at a South African university. We assessed change from baseline to 2.5 and 5 months in number of vaginal intercourse occasions unprotected by male or female condoms in EI vs. MI using generalized linear models with a log link function and GEE. Both groups reported significant reductions in number of unprotected vaginal intercourse occasions from baseline to each follow-up, with no significant difference between the two-session and single-session intervention. Introduction of a brief group-based MI FC promotion intervention with FC access holds promise for delivery in clinics and other community venues.

Perceived confidence to use female condoms among students in Tertiary Institutions of a Metropolitan City, Southwestern, Nigeria

“…Studies have reiterated that the concurrent availability of female condoms results in higher rates of protected sex, greater negotiating power and control of their health compared with only-male condom availability and the affordability [ 5 ]. This availability will be greatly enhanced if policies that promote subsidization of costs (for developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa where there are high prevalent rates of HIV infection) or that advocate free female condoms are embraced [ 3 , 43 ].…”

“…The female condom first proposed by Lasse Hessel in mid-80s [ 1 ], is certified to guard against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases during vaginal intercourse [ 2 , 3 ]. It’s distribution and availability worldwide has doubled from 25 million to 50 million and 60 million units in 2007, 2010 and 2012 respectively [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Nurses’ knowledge of and willingness to promote female condom use in Johannesburg Health District

“…19 Research done in different national settings demonstrates that healthcare providers often have negative views of this method and lack information on how to promote it. [20][21][22][23] Nurses providing family planning services in southern Mozambique saw the provider-client relationship for choosing contraceptive methods as an integral part of their job as opposed to an added burden or contributing to job dissatisfaction. 24 A study done in Botswana showed that the perception and attitude of healthcare workers on female condoms played a positive role in advocating against STIs, HIV and unwanted pregnancy in women.…”

Sexual and reproductive health risk behaviours among South African university students: results from a representative campus-wide survey

“…As part of a of a larger project designed to test the efficacy of a small-group intervention to promote female condom use for at-risk female tertiary students (Mantell et al, 2015), we conducted a campus-wide survey with the goal of describing the sexual and reproductive health of the population from which intervention participants were recruited. This analysis focuses on two indicators of risk that have received less attention among university students and that were not included in the study conducted by HEAIDS: (1) partnership characteristics, including concurrent partnerships, and (2) consistent condom use.…”