FACTORS INFLUENCING UTILISATION OF FEMALE CONDOMS AMONG WOMEN AGED 20-45 YEARS ATTENDING KALADIMA HCIII AMURU DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Women especially in the age group 20-45 years are at risk of getting STIS including HIV and unplanned pregnancy and this is attributed to the failure of women to use female condoms which could be protective, therefore, this study assesses the factors influencing the utilization of female condoms among women aged 20-45 years attending Kaladima HCIII Amuru district.

Method

The study was a descriptive cross-sectional that employed quantitative methods in which a questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 presented in graphs, tables, and pie charts, and interpretations were derived using percentages. 

Results

Findings revealed that all respondents (100%) alleged that the unavailability of female condoms contributed to lack of adequate use Majority (99%) knew about the female condom as a method of preventing pregnancy however,83% did not use them because they were not supported by their partners. (77%) did not relate the lack of training to the availability of female condoms. However, most (73%) of the respondents said that the attitude of women towards the size of female condoms was negative because of its shape and difficult insertion which affected female condom use. 

Conclusion

Factors influencing the utilization of female condoms among women attending Kaladima HCIV Amuru district were; the unavailability of female condoms that contributed to inadequate use, lack of support from their partners, and the negative attitude of women towards the size of female condoms due to their shape and difficulty insertion so affected female condom use.

Recommendation

Therefore, the study recommends that the Ministry of Health should devise strategies that promote the involvement of male spouses in female condom use.