Factors Affecting Accessiblity and Use of Female Condom Among Youths in Selected Tertiary Training Institutes in Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: The female condom is a dual protection tool for both prevention of HIV/Aids transmission and unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. The study was done in Migori County among the youths attending selected tertiary training institutes, with an aim of identifying the extent in which access to the female condom and other social cultural factors affect use of the device in Migori County. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A pre-test study was conducted in Msomi teachers training college to test the validity and reliability of the data collecting tools. The tertiary institutions were purposively selected while the research participants in the selected institutes were randomly and systematically selected and a sample size of n= 385 was chosen proportionately. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Results: It was evident from the research findings that a majority of the youths 83.9% were single with 61.3% of the youths getting information about female condom use from media, 73.9% used it to prevent pregnancy than to prevent transmission or contracting HIV/Aids. Conclusion: Availability and cost of the female condom were significant at p≤0.001, the attitude of the user and partner was also significant at a p value of 0.024. Recommendation: The government should subsidize the cost for female condom and ensure adequate distribution to all the youths at risk. The health care providers to champion for positive attitude for use of female condom.