Utilisation of the female condom by women in Chainda catchment area of Lusaka district, Zambia
Date
2025
Authors
Shankwaya, Modrine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The female condom is a dual protection tool for both prevention of HIV/ AIDs transmission and unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. The female condom is one of several overlooked and underused reproductive health technologies having the potential to expand choice in family planning and prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and sexually transmitted infections programmes. Nursing staff at Chainda health centre in Lusaka conduct health education on all family planning services at the clinic and in the community during outreach activities. However, data from Lusaka district health office (LDHO) show that female condom utilisation is very low in comparison to other family planning methods. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with utilisation of the female condom among women in Chainda catchment area. A mixed method study design was used for this study. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, while two focused group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect qualitative data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for quantitative data analysis, and content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Chi square was used to test the association between the dependent and independent variables at 0.05 level of
significance. The study population comprised of 384 randomly selected women, aged 15 to 49 years, living in Chainda catchment area of Lusaka district, and accessing health services from the health facility. Chainda catchment area was selected using purposive sampling, due to its dense and diverse population, being an accessible health facility, due to prior research indicating specific health concerns, established community engagement, relevant socioeconomic conditions, logistical ease, and alignment with funding or collaborative interests. These factors made it an ideal location for studying women's health and service utilisation. The findings were that 31% of the respondents exhibited high knowledge of the female condoms
while 41% had moderate knowledge, and 28% had low knowledge. The findings also showed that 90% of the respondents agreed to female condoms being available all the time, while 10% said the commodity was not available at all times. A small proportion (14%) of respondents had
positive attitudes towards female condom utilisation, while 86% had negative attitudes. The association between knowledge and utilisation of female condoms was statistically significant with p <0.0001. The association between availability and utilisation of the female condom was also statistically significant (p=0.00). The association between attitudes and utilisation of the female condom was not statistically significant (p=0.447). Three themes (i) Knowledge about female condoms, (ii) Use of female condoms and (iii) Experiences of using female condoms emerged from the qualitative data. (iv)
Availability of female condom and (v) where can one get a female condom? Although female condoms are widely available, their utilisation remains low. Thus, the findings of the dissertation underscore the need for targeted education and awareness campaigns in the catchment area.
Key words: Female condom, Women, Utilisation, Catchment area
Description
Thesis of Master of Science in Midwifery and Women’s Health.