The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57398

Deborah Hardwick, PhD (c) and Sheela Basrur, Dr. Planning and Policy, Toronto Public Health, 175 Memorial Park Avenue, Toronto, ON M4J 1J4, Canada

Objective: Toronto Public Health in collaboration with several community partner agencies delivered an intervention to introduce the female condom to women at risk for unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, and to increase the proportion of sexual acts protected by either male or female condom. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study without control group of method-naïve women. One hundred and seventy-five at-risk women, aged 18 to 45, received the intervention in individual or group formats at public health clinics and community partner agencies. Male and female condom use was reported via a self-administered questionnaire prior to the intervention and at both follow-up sessions, each one month apart. Group and individual interview data supplemented the questionnaires. Results: A total of 109 participants who had not previously used the female condom completed all three questionnaires. Forty percent had a history of sexually transmitted disease, four had tested positive for HIV, and among those who had been pregnant, 68% had experienced at least one unplanned pregnancy. At the end of the study period, condom use had increased by 20%. Liking the female condom and feeling comfortable inserting it were associated with choosing to use the female condom. Conclusions: This intervention increased the proportion of vaginal intercourse events protected by a male or female condom among at-risk women in Toronto, Canada. Barriers to female condom use identified by the participants and implications for practice are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to:
• Articulate the increase in condom use as a result of a female condom intervention.
• Identify barriers to female condom use.
• Incorporate the findings into sexual health and contraceptive counselling and education interventions.

Keywords: Condom Use, Women's Sexuality

Related Web page: www.toronto.ca/health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Toronto Public Health developed an intervention to increase the use of the female condom. The only female condom available is the Reality Condom, distributed by The Female Health Company.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.