Predictors of Intentions Not to Use the Female Condom among University of Botswana Students

Abstract

This article presents an assessment of predictors of intentions not to use the female condom among University of Botswana students. The female condom seemed the right response to contraception and HIV/AIDS prevention interventions that empower women and address gender inequalities. However, the method's worldwide acceptability has been dodged with uncertainty as a result of its low uptake despite the fact that women and girls continue to be affected and infected by HIV/AIDS more than their male counterparts. To the best knowledge of the researcher, unacceptability of this method has not been extensively researched on in Botswana thus far despite numerous concerns surrounding the nonuse of this method. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of University of Botswana students. A total of 1410 students were interviewed. The study targeted university students who ever had sex as their acceptability of the method could lead to broader acceptability among the general population as they poses attributes of people receptive to new technologies. The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Bivariate analysis results indicated that intentions not to use the female condom were more pronounced among females than males. Multivariate analysis results indicated that negative prejudice towards the method (OR = 2.687, p < 0.01), lack of exposure to female condom campaigns (OR = 2.647, p < 0.01), misconceptions (OR = 2.462, p < 0.01), source of first ever information on the method (OR = 0.476, p < 0.01), believing the female condom was never adequately promoted in Botswana (OR = 2.302, p < 0.05) and believing there is no need for female condoms (OR = 4.911, p < 0.001) were principal predictors of intentions not to use the female condom. This study findings call for intensifying campaigns promoting the use of the method as a contraceptive and barrier method against HIV/AIDS among university students as their acceptability of the method could lead to broader acceptability among the general population. The government needs to focus on programming that emphasizes educating the public about this method using health care service providers as the main drivers of campaigns for the use of this method. Education will increase knowledge about this method and help curb negative information shared among the public concerning female condoms.