Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in Ghana
Abstract Background The female condom (FC) is the only safe and effective female-initiated method that provides simultaneous protection against unintended pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of FC use among women and the perceptions and attitude...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-04-01
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| Series: | Contraception and Reproductive Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40834-017-0042-9 |
| _version_ | 1818197252741529600 |
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| author | Mark Kwame Ananga Nuworza Kugbey Jemima Misornu Akporlu Kwaku Oppong Asante |
| author_facet | Mark Kwame Ananga Nuworza Kugbey Jemima Misornu Akporlu Kwaku Oppong Asante |
| author_sort | Mark Kwame Ananga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The female condom (FC) is the only safe and effective female-initiated method that provides simultaneous protection against unintended pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of FC use among women and the perceptions and attitudes towards condom use can contribute to its uptake as an important public health strategy for HIV prevention in Ghana. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence in this area of public health research to inform interventions. This study seeks to examine women’s knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the FC and factors that influence its acceptance and utilisation. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used and a total of 380 females between the ages of 15 and 49 years were sampled from the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region, Ghana. A self-administered structured questionnaire measuring the study variables was used, and frequencies, percentages and Chi Square tests were used to analyse the data. Results There is low level of FC use among the women as less than half (48.4%) of the sample were aware of the FC. It was further observed that 21.1, 21.8 and 11.1% of the sample reported friends, media and a public lecture as their sources of knowledge of the FC respectively. It was also observed that there is a low level of FC acceptance and utilisation, and also limited access to the FC from nearby shops/pharmacies (1.8%) and health centres (7.4%). Conclusions There is a generally low level of FC awareness, knowledge, acceptance and utilisation and therefore, there is the need for increased public education on the FC and its benefits to women in preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T01:47:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d12f766cab19479180fd37ced5f9186e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-7426 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T01:47:02Z |
| publishDate | 2017-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Contraception and Reproductive Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-d12f766cab19479180fd37ced5f9186e2022-12-22T00:42:34ZengBMCContraception and Reproductive Medicine2055-74262017-04-01211910.1186/s40834-017-0042-9Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in GhanaMark Kwame Ananga0Nuworza Kugbey1Jemima Misornu Akporlu2Kwaku Oppong Asante3Department of Population and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied SciencesDepartment of Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied SciencesAdidome District Health Directorate, Ghana Health ServiceDepartment of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of GhanaAbstract Background The female condom (FC) is the only safe and effective female-initiated method that provides simultaneous protection against unintended pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of FC use among women and the perceptions and attitudes towards condom use can contribute to its uptake as an important public health strategy for HIV prevention in Ghana. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence in this area of public health research to inform interventions. This study seeks to examine women’s knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the FC and factors that influence its acceptance and utilisation. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used and a total of 380 females between the ages of 15 and 49 years were sampled from the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region, Ghana. A self-administered structured questionnaire measuring the study variables was used, and frequencies, percentages and Chi Square tests were used to analyse the data. Results There is low level of FC use among the women as less than half (48.4%) of the sample were aware of the FC. It was further observed that 21.1, 21.8 and 11.1% of the sample reported friends, media and a public lecture as their sources of knowledge of the FC respectively. It was also observed that there is a low level of FC acceptance and utilisation, and also limited access to the FC from nearby shops/pharmacies (1.8%) and health centres (7.4%). Conclusions There is a generally low level of FC awareness, knowledge, acceptance and utilisation and therefore, there is the need for increased public education on the FC and its benefits to women in preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40834-017-0042-9Female condomKnowledgeAcceptanceUtilisation |
| spellingShingle | Mark Kwame Ananga Nuworza Kugbey Jemima Misornu Akporlu Kwaku Oppong Asante Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in Ghana Contraception and Reproductive Medicine Female condom Knowledge Acceptance Utilisation |
| title | Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in Ghana |
| title_full | Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in Ghana |
| title_short | Knowledge, acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in Ghana |
| title_sort | knowledge acceptance and utilisation of the female condom among women of reproductive age in ghana |
| topic | Female condom Knowledge Acceptance Utilisation |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40834-017-0042-9 |
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