Knowledge and attitudes of women attending the antenatal care clinic at Piggs Peak Government Hospital as regards the female condom in HIV prevention

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: The female condom is the only currently available method that offers women partial control in protecting themselves from HIV infection. Despite the availability of this condom, its uptake among women has remained disappointing. This study was an attempt to understand why this is the case and to come up with recommendations to improve uptake of the female condom at Piggs Peak Hospital antenatal care department in Swaziland. Methodology: A qualitative research study was conducted using in depth face-to-face interviews and a focus group discussion. The target population consisted of clients visiting the antenatal care clinic at Piggs Peak Hospital. Results: Respondents were aware of the female condom and its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases and as a contraceptive procedure. Acceptance of the female condom was high among respondents, though uptake was low. Some of the reasons that were mentioned as resulting in the poor uptake of the female condom included lack of training on use and little marketing of the device. The design of the current female condom was found to be a major concern for those who refused to accept the female condom. Implications: There is a need for the government of Swaziland and its partners to reconsider their strategy as regards the promotion of the female condom in the country. Educating the general public about the condom and training them how to use it is vital. People need to know why they should use the female condom. Its advantages to women should be fully explained. The cost of the female condom also needs to be addressed with a view of having the female condom freely and widely available.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vrouekondoom is tans die enigste beskikbare metode wat aan vroue gedeeltelike kontrole bied om hulleself teen MIV-infeksie te beskerm. Ondanks die beskikbaarheid van hierdie kondoom is die omvang van die gebruik daarvan onder vroue steeds teleurstellend. Dié studie was 'n poging om te probeer bepaal wat die rede(s) hiervoor is en om aanbevelings te doen om die gebruik van die vrouekondoom te vermeerder -- pogings en optrede in hierdie verband is in die swangerskapsorgafdeling van Piggs Peak-hospitaal in Swaziland uitgevoer. Metodologie: 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingstudie is van stapel laat loop en dit het persoonlike onderhoude en 'n fokusgroepbespreking ingesluit. Die teikengroep het bestaan uit kliënte wat die voorgeboortekliniek by Piggs Peak-hospitaal besoek het. Bevindinge: Respondente was bewus van die vrouekondoom en sy doeltreffendheid wat betref die voorkoming van MIV-infeksie, ander seksueeloordrabbare siektes en as 'n voorkomingsmaatreël. Daar was 'n hoë vlak van aanvaarding onder die respondente, maar die gebruik daarvan was beduidend laag. Van die redes wat vermeld is waarom die vrouekondoom nie in veel groter maat gebruik word nie, het gebrek aan opleiding ten opsigte van die gebruik daarvan ingesluit, asook powere bemarkingspogings. Daar is bevind dat die ontwerp van die huidige vrouekondoom vir diegene wat weier om dit te probeer gebruik, 'n kommerwrekkende aangeleentheid is. Implikasies: Dit is nodig vir die regering van Swaziland en sy vennote om hulle strategie ten opsigte van die promosie van dié vrouekondoom in die land in heroorweging te neem. Dit is noodsaaklik dat die puibliek oor alle aspekte van dié kondoom ingelig word en geleer word hoe om dit te gebruik. Mense behoort bewus te wees waarom hulle die kondoom moet gebruik. Die kondoom se voordele behoort omvattend en indringend aan vroue verduidelik te word. Die kostefaktor rondom die vrouekondoom behoort ook aangespreek te word met die oog daarop om dit gratis en vrylik beskikbaar te hê