Perceived barriers and facilitators to female condoms among UK based healthcare professionals

Abstract

Objectives

The female condom (FC) is an effective strategy against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in susceptible women and men who have sex with men. FCs are the only female-initiated dual protection method that protects against both STIs and unintended pregnancy. As healthcare professionals (HCPs) are a key element in the promotion of contraceptive use, it is important to examine attitudes towards FCs among this group. Study participants: 15 male and female HCPs aged between 22 and 57 years recruited from sexual and reproductive health settings located in Brighton, London, and Glasgow.

Sampling method: Purposive sampling with targeted advertisements (newsletters and bulletins). Study design: face-to-face and telephone interviews with sexual health HCPs. Main outcome measure: potential barriers and facilitators to FCs in the UK. Data were analysed thematically to identify common views and perspectives.

Results

FCs were thought to be unacceptable to most women due to stigma, design, negative visual appeal, insertion difficulties and lack of familiarity. The perceived unavailability and higher cost of FCs, in comparison to male condoms, are major barriers to their use.

Conclusions

HCPs are reluctant to promote FCs, often due to the perceived social stigma surrounding FCs. Further education and promotion are needed to increase acceptability and correct usage. Future research needs to explore strategies to increase the acceptability of FCs among women, men who have sex with men and HCPs.

摘要

目标：女用避孕套（FC）是一种有效的措施, 来防止易感女性与男性发生性行为后的性传播疾病（STIs）。FCs是唯一由女性主导的预防性传播感染和意外怀孕的双重保护方法。由于医疗保健专业人员（HCPs）是促进应用避孕用具的关键因素, 因此研究这一群体对FCs的态度很重要。研究参与者：从布莱顿、伦敦、格拉斯哥的性与生殖健康机构招募了15位年龄在22-57岁之间的男性和女性HCPs。

抽样方法：有目的抽样, 有针对性的广告（新闻和公告）。研究设计：与性健康HCPs进行面对面和电话访谈。主要结果指标：英国FCs的潜在阻碍和促进因素。对数据进行主题分析, 以确定共同观点。

结果：由于羞耻感、设计、视觉吸引力差、插入困难和缺乏熟悉感, 大多数女性认为FCs是不可接受的。与男性避孕套相比, FCs的不可获得性和较高的成本是其使用的主要障碍。

结论：HCPs不愿意促进FCs的应用, 通常是由于大众对FCs产生的羞耻感。需要进一步教育与宣传, 以提高可接受性和正确的应用方法。未来的研究需要关注于提高女性、男性性行为者和HCPs对FCs的接受度。

Keywords:

• Female condom
• healthcare professionals
• barriers
• facilitators
• qualitative

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).