Factors facilitating and inhibiting the use of female condoms among female university students in Durban, KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Objectives The study aimed to explore the factors facilitating and inhibiting female condom use among female university students in South Africa.Methods This qualitative study drew on 15 individual, in-depth interviews with female university students in Durban, South Africa.Results The results of the study highlight several factors that facilitate and inhibit female condom use. Protection from sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS) and prevention of pregnancy facilitated use of the device among female students. In addition, students expressed positive attitudes towards the female condom and preferred it to hormonal contraceptives because it offered them dual protection. Absence of side effects and greater power and autonomy to initiate safer sex were other factors that facilitated use. Inadequate availability, partner objection, stigma, insertion difficulties and lack of awareness served as significant barriers to consistent female condom use.Conclusions Although the female condom can protect female students from infections and pregnancy, there are several barriers to its use. Interventions should aim to increase availability of the female condom, and male involvement should be increased to facilitate consistent use of the method.Chinese 摘要目的：本研究目的是探究南非女大学生使用女用避孕套的促进和妨碍因素。方法：本定性研究基于15个对南非德班女大学生独立、深入的访谈。结果：研究结果突出了促进或妨碍女用避孕套使用的数个因素。预防性传播疾病(包括HIV/AIDS)和避孕促进女大学生使用女用避孕套。另外，由于可带来双重保护，大学生对女用避孕套表现出了积极态度，喜爱女用避孕套胜于激素避孕。无副作用、效果强力、可自主发起安全性行为是促进使用的其他因素。不易获得、伴侣拒绝使用、羞耻感、置入困难和缺乏认识是使用女用避孕套的显著阻碍。结论：即使女用避孕套可保护女性免于疾病和避孕，仍有一些障碍制约了使用。应针对增加女用避孕套的可获得性进行干预，男性的参与也可促进该方法的长期使用。关键词德班，南非，女用避孕套，大学生