Francis-Chizororo Monica, Natshalaga Neddy Rita
Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2003 Dec;7(3):101-16.
This study was conducted to generate data for developing an action plan for accessing the female condom through primary health care centres in Zimbabwe. It used both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather information from sexually active women and men on the perception and acceptability of the female condom among users in rural areas of Zimbabwe. The findings show that very few women had used the female condom prior to the survey. Several women (93%) liked the condom especially young women aged 20-39 years (83%), compared to older women aged 40 years and above (11%). Both women and men liked the dual role of contraception and protection against STIs including HIV/AIDS played by the female condom. Most women (98%) felt that it is important for women to have their own condom. However, both men and women pointed out that it will be difficult to introduce the female condom in married situations due to the stigma associated with condoms in general. Over 80% of women said they will have to seek permission from their partners to use the female condom. Women had problems with inserting the condom and were concerned with lubrication, size and appearance, and how to dispose of used condom. Regarding cost, 77% felt that the female condom is too expensive given that the male condom can be obtained free from health centres. The cost of the female condom could hinder its continued use and would encourage women, especially commercial sex workers, to re-use it. Respondents still require more information relating to side effects (45%), effectiveness in STIs prevention including HIV/AIDS (44%), proper use (43%) and cost (32%).
本研究旨在生成数据，以制定一项通过津巴布韦的初级卫生保健中心获取女用避孕套的行动计划。研究采用定量和定性方法，收集了性活跃的女性和男性关于津巴布韦农村地区使用者对女用避孕套的认知和可接受性的信息。研究结果表明，在调查之前很少有女性使用过女用避孕套。与40岁及以上的老年女性（11%）相比，有几位女性（93%）喜欢这种避孕套，尤其是20 - 39岁的年轻女性（83%）。女性和男性都喜欢女用避孕套在避孕以及预防包括艾滋病毒/艾滋病在内的性传播感染方面的双重作用。大多数女性（98%）认为女性拥有自己的避孕套很重要。然而，男性和女性都指出，由于避孕套总体上存在污名化问题，在已婚情况下引入女用避孕套会很困难。超过80%的女性表示，她们必须征得伴侣的同意才能使用女用避孕套。女性在插入避孕套时存在问题，并且担心润滑、尺寸和外观以及如何处理用过的避孕套。关于成本，77%的人认为女用避孕套太贵，因为男用避孕套可以从卫生中心免费获得。女用避孕套的成本可能会阻碍其持续使用，并会促使女性，尤其是商业性工作者重复使用它。受访者仍然需要更多关于副作用（45%）、预防包括艾滋病毒/艾滋病在内的性传播感染的有效性（44%）、正确使用方法（43%）和成本（32%）的信息。
