Perceptions of Undergraduate Female College Students towards the Female Condom: Lessons from Zimbabwe

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the perceptions of female college students towards the female condom in Zimbabwe. The study was guided by the interaction perceptive. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The population of the study were all female students at a university under study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from female students. The study revealed that most of the undergraduate students had high knowledge of female condoms. It also indicated that most students were not sure about the availability of female condoms if they needed them. The study also showed that the majority of undergraduate female students had not used female condoms. It has also shown the respondents regarded female condoms to be important for HIV and pregnancy prevention. Most of the respondents revealed that many discuss with friends on the use of female condoms but would not discuss with relatives. They also pointed that they would encourage their friends to use female condoms if they were sexually active. The majority of respondents believed that there was nothing morally wrong in using female condoms. The study also revealed that undergraduate students felt that abstinence was better than the use of female condoms, while the use of female condoms gave them more control on sexual activity than the use of male condoms. Collectively the results seem to indicate that undergraduate female students have both positive and negative perceptions on the use of female condoms. It is recommended that universities should make the availability of female condoms less arduous so that sexually active female students have access without hassles.