Contraceptive acceptability of female condom: A prospective study

Abstract

Background: Female condom is the only available method that women and girls can initiate and, in some ways, control, that protects against both unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. In this regard, it is an important supplement to the male condom. Materials and methods: One-hundred women between the age of 18 and 40 years attending the gynecology OPD and needing any temporary method of contrception were recruited into the study for 6 months. Only women willing to participate in the study were recruited. Results: In the study, of the 100 women, only 17 women had heard about sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and that use of male or female condoms can prevent their transmission. Seventy-eight percent of women continued with the use of female condoms. Of them, 83% women reported that they were satisfied by the use of female condoms and they would continue to use them if they were easily available. The satisfaction of the male partners was observed in 79% of them. When both partners were taken together, female condoms were satisfying to 78% of both. Conclusion: The female condom is an important temporary method of female contraception which also protects from and HIV. It is a method that empowers women; hence, it must be integrated in reproductive health programs to save the lives of millions of women and men now.