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

Magdelena S Petkova,Emilia G Pavlova,Trayana Djarova-Daniels,Olufemi B Omole,Zuberu B Elabor

doi:10.17159/sajs.2018/20170174

Abstract

The female condom is the only current method for female partners to simultaneously prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Studies of various contraceptive methods suggest that providers’ acceptance and endorsement may be a key factor in their clients’ uptake and continued use of a method. Our aim in this study was to assess the relationship between nurses’ knowledge of and their willingness to promote female condom use in 18 public healthcare facilities within the Johannesburg District. The mean score of correct answers of 398 nurses completing an anonymous, self-administered, six-item questionnaire was 4 out of a maximum of 6. Data analysis included the use of descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. It was found that 79% of participants were knowledgeable but only 59% were willing to promote female condom use. There was no association between knowledge of and willingness to promote female condom use. The following significant associations with knowledge and willingness to promote female condom use were found: family planning experience, being employed by a local government authority, working in a primary care clinic and having had informal training on female condom use. Informal training of nurses within the family planning unit in the clinics has the potential to improve nurses’ knowledge and willingness to promote female condom use. Significance:  This is the first study conducted in South Africa on the knowledge of and willingness of healthcare providers to promote female condom use. An effective strategy is needed to motivate healthcare workers to promote female condom use with their patients. Informal training of nurses within the family planning unit has the potential to improve nurses’ knowledge of and willingness to promote female condom use.

Highlights

The female condom has been developed as an alternative to the male condom and remains the only femaleinitiated means of preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI) including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
HIV incidence has slightly decreased in South Africa, but many people still engage in risky sexual behaviour
Considering that such studies are non-existent in the South African primary healthcare context, further studies are needed to explore the willingness of the healthcare providers to promote female condom use

Summary

Introduction

The female condom has been developed as an alternative to the male condom and remains the only femaleinitiated means of preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI) including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV incidence has slightly decreased in South Africa, but many people still engage in risky sexual behaviour. Findings indicate higher condom use among young men than among women.[1] The incidence of HIV varies across South Africa’s provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal having the highest incidence.[2] The Sexual and Reproductive Week campaign was launched in February 2016 under the umbrella of the national health department to promote female and male condom use. Other viral infections such as Ebola and Zika were found to be sexually transmitted.[3,4,5] Despite the fact that cases of Ebola and Zika virus have never been repor ted in South Africa, the fact[4] that these emerging infectious diseases could spread rapidly should be emphasised when promoting female condom use

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion