The study aims to probe the perceptions and experiences of using female condoms for women living in Durban. The study probes these perceptions and experiences within the embedded socio-cultural and gendered dynamics that influence, not only the perception and understanding of the female condom, but their gendered use as well. The study was premised on the understanding that female condoms or FCs are a ‘female initiated’ prevention method in preventing unplanned pregnancy, and most importantly in protecting against, STIs and HIV/AIDS. The study also assumed that, given the feminized face of the AIDS pandemic, FCs could potentially be an empowering contraceptive tool, with which women can exercise control over their own bodies and some control within their sexual relationships; negotiating safer sex, preventing pregnancy and the transmission of STIs like HIV. Mixed methods were used to collect data, utilising methodological tools such as a questionnaire, focus groups and in-depth interviews. The study included participants from Chatsworth, Durban Central, Inanda, Lamontville, and Wentworth. / Theses (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The female condom has the potential to protect the health of millions of women at risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as unwanted pregnancies. Increased use of the female condom and its positive impact on health is therefore substantial, particularly in the context of the growing feminisation of HIV/AIDS epidemic and high maternal mortality as well as high unmet need for contraception. However, female condoms in Swaziland do not seem to have attracted much attention. Using sex workers, this study aimed to explore the factors that facilitates and inhibits use of the female condom. Their main reasons for using the female condom were protection from sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention. The qualitative interviews revealed that women like the female condom and prefer it over the male condom because it offers them more options and moreover they control its use. Other factors that facilitate its use include the fact that it can be inserted up to eight hours before intercourse and that it can be negotiated as a contraceptive. Partner objection, cultural and social beliefs, and limited availability served as barriers to the use of the device. Some women reported secret use, but a majority had to negotiate its use. Although women have to negotiate its use with their sexual partners, the fact that the female condom provides women with an independent method of protection that they can use on their own increases their ability to control their sexual health. The study indicates the potential benefits of female condom use in increasing protected sex acts. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

This research study seeks to explore perceptions of family planning clients towards the female condom, as well as examine factors that facilitate or inhibit the use of the device by women of different age groups. The study targets women aged 18-35 who attend the Commercial City Clinic located in Durban, South Africa. This study targets this group since they fall in the category of those most besieged by HIV, hence the need for protection against infection. While most research on condom use has focused the technicalities of barriers prevention methods, relatively less is known about attitudes, motivation and strategies employed by users or would-be users. Although Femidom has been widely accepted as an effective method in STI and pregnancy prevention, nevertheless its usefulness is hampered by a number of factors. Factors range from partner’s objection; men’s negative attitude to use of the device; refusal to use any condom during sex; distrust of the method by male partner; Femidom insertion difficulties in women; reduced sexual sensation for some women when the device is in use; and preference of a discreet method by women not requiring permission by the male sexual counterpart to use the female condom While this study acknowledges that the female condom is an imperfect technology, nevertheless, ways need to be found on how to raise its acceptability. Such a measure is necessary since the female-controlled HIV prevention device has great potential if better marketed and distributed. However, that potential can only be realized if women’s vulnerabilities in the biological, cultural, economic and social domains are addressed. In so doing, this would enable women to gain greater control over their sexual health and also empower them in sexual relationships, thus bettering their lot than is the case at present. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Unprotected heterosexual intercourse is the major cause of the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); however people still engage in unsafe sexual practices. Much research has therefore focused on preventive approaches and barrier methods to combat HIV and AIDS. Global HIV and AIDS statistics show that women are worst affected, leading researchers and non-governmental organizations to design interventions and programs to prevent HIV infection among women. Female condoms, also known as femidom, are effective and safe in preventing HIV if used consistently. The cost of the first generation female condom, FC1 led to slow uptake, resulting in the production of the more cost-effective second generation female condom, FC2. However, studies show that the FC2 is underutilized for a number of reasons beyond cost, including availability, reduced sexual pleasure, gender inequality and culture. There is a paucity of literature on perceptions of the female condom (Callender, 2012). This study sought to address this gap by accessing perceptions of the female condom among students on the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)’s Howard College campus. This research study adopted an interpretive paradigm and employed mixed methods of research, both quantitative and qualitative. The population/participants were drawn from male and female students at UKZN who reside in two residences on the Howard College campus, namely, John Bews and Pius Langa. A non-probability snow ball sampling method was used to select a sample frame of 124 students comprising both female and male students. Questionnaires and focus group were used to gather data; a total of 100 questionnaires were administered and a focus group was conducted with eight participants in three separate sessions. The qualitative data gathered were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), which generated simple frequencies and percentages. The quantitative data was transcribed and analyzed through thematic analysis with the help of the NVivo10 qualitative data analysis package. Thematic analysis developed by Braun & Clarke (2006) was employed to create categories and emerging themes that were derived from the coding process. Paulo Freire’s participatory development paradigm and the empowerment theory provided the conceptual framework within which the research is located. This enabled an exploration of how participatory approaches like focus group discussions create opportunities for participation. Kieffer’s (1984) four stages of empowerment guided the data analysis within the framework of empowerment theory. The study found that male students are more supportive of female condoms than female students. It also revealed that female students do not feel empowered by female condoms; this is as due to inadequate information and insufficient promotion of female condoms. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the most common source of information about female condoms among students was friends, followed by the clinic. Media and billboards had minimal effect in providing information and awareness on the female condom. Students feel that culture does not influence condom (male or female) use; this could suggest a positive future for femidom use in South Africa. / M. Soc. Sc. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / BACKGROUND: In Botswana, women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. According to the UNAIDS in 2009, 170 000 of the estimated 300000 adults living with HIV or one quarter of the population aged 15 and over were women. HIV prevalence trend among pregnant women (Botswana Sentinel Surveillance 2001-2009) aged 15-49 years attending antenatal in public clinics is 31.8%. The national HIV prevalence amongst the women surveyed has shown a decline of prevalence from 36.2% in 2001 to 30.4% in 2011. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions of women of reproductive age in Nkoyaphiri clinic, Mogoditshane village towards the use of female condom (FC). METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used on a sample of 125 women of reproductive age in Nkoyaphiri clinic in Botswana. A self-administered questionnaire written in both English and Setswana were given to 125 women of reproductive age. Their responses were coded, cleaned and entered into SPSS version 21.0 software for analysis. FINDINGS: About 92% of women of reproductive age heard about FC, more than half (64.8%) of respondents reported that they do not know how to use FC, and 88% have never used FC. The results had shown that a higher percentage (88%) of respondents have never ever used FC compared to (12%) that have used it. Most participants 46.4% believed that FC can prevent unwanted pregnancies, the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS 42.4%. The results also show that 18.4% of respondents often use female condom inconsistently, while 3.3% cited it as their current contraceptive method. CONCLUSION: The results of this study shows that the level of FC use is lower (12%) among respondents, compared to 88% who never used FC. This shows that majority of women had never used FC. This results show that a lot still needs to be done in promoting the use of FC and strategies should be designed to send information to all individuals. Lack of knowledge on the use of FC contributes to lack of use of FC among women.

Thesis( MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Title: The Perceptions of Postgraduate Students About Female Condoms at The University of Limpopo Background: The female condom is one of the safest and effective female-initiated methods of contraceptives that has been promoted as an integral part of inventions that provide protection against the widespread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and other Sexual Transmitted Infections among the youth, including at institutions of higher learning. A number of university students in South Africa are at risk of contracting HIV because of their risky sexual behaviours. How one perceives the female condom can have greater potential to influence its use. There is a gap in literature about this condom. Therefore, this study seeks to understand and document perceptions of postgraduate students about the female condom at the University of Limpopo. Objectives: To explore demographic characteristics of postgraduate students at the University of Limpopo regarding female condoms. To describe perceptions of postgraduate students at the University of Limpopo about female condoms. Methods: The study used the qualitative research approach. Participants of the study were full-time male and female postgraduate students at the University of Limpopo. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, participants were interviewed one by one using an interview guide. The sample size of the study was 10 participants which was determined by saturation of data. An audiotape was also used to record interviews with participants, and field notes were also taken during the interview. Data was analysed through Thematic Content Analysis. Results: Literature suggests that students are aware of the female condom and its potential to reduce the risk of contracting HIV and STI but are still reluctant to use it in preference of the MC which is well marketed and promoted. The observed discarding and misuse of female condoms among students is associated with lack of knowledge and their perceptions of it. Although this study does not generalise the overall students’ perceptions regarding the female condom, but as a qualitative research, the study provides a useful qualitative enquiry of postgraduate students at the University of Limpopo about the female condom. Conclusion: Many studies have concluded that a female condom is a female-initiated method that is developed to empower and educate women to take control of their sexual health issues as well as to develop other programmes that prioritise women against HIV/AIDS and other STI. There is a need for effective interventions and campaigns to improve student knowledge in order to minimise wasteful expenditure in the process of the procurement and distribution of female condoms. There is also a need to increase the availability and accessibility of these condoms at institutions of higher learning.

Department of Advanced Nursing Science / MCur

Correct and consistent use of female condom is an effective strategy for the reduction of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. The researcher used a non-experimental descriptive quantitative research design to explore the acceptability of female condom among young women aged between 15 and 34 years of age in Jwaneng Township, Botswana. Simple random sampling was used to recruit the respondents. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires from women accessing health care services in the three health facilities in Jwaneng Township. Data were analysed using the SPSS statistical program version 23 for windows. The findings show low utilisation of the female condom. The study highlights the significant challenges regarding availability, shape, material and lack of information about female condom in Jwaneng. Based on the study results, various strategies need to be developed, there might be a need to package health promotion differently for different age groups to effectively promote the female condom. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)