Knowledge, Attitude and Use of Female Condoms among Female Undergraduate Students in University of Dar-Es-Salaam

Background: Women are vulnerable to HIV infections because of their biological make up and present means used for HIV and STIs prevention. At first was male condom of which women had no control as a strategy of HIV and AIDS prevention as well as prevention of unwanted pregnancy. This led to development and use of female condom of which women will have a full control for prevention.

Objective: To determine knowledge, attitude and use of female condom among female undergraduate students at the University of Dar-es- Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried among female undergraduate students in Dar-es- Salaam University in 2009 to explore knowledge, attitude and use of female condom by using structured questionnaire.

Results: A total of 384 female students aged 21-25 years old were interviewed. The findings showed 96.6% students had heard female condom. Of these 73% (371) heard from mass media and 15.4% from health workers. Out of 371 students who had heard of female condom, 4.31% admitted to have used at least ones, 38.3% were abstaining from sex and 12% did not like it. Of those who have ever used female condom, 26.7% preferred female condom as a means of HIV and STIs prevention. Those who had heard female condom 46% had positive attitude towards use of female condom when compared to male condom as means of HIV and STIs prevention as well as prevention against unwanted pregnancy.

Conclusion: Even though many students were aware of female condom, few have ever used as a method of HIV and STIs intervention and as well as prevention of unwanted pregnancy; and more than a half (54%) of the respondents had negative attitude as a method of HIV prevention which was on their own control. Mass media as a strategy for intervention is a one way communication and needs to be supplemented by other approaches that allow interpersonal communication and interaction that will lead to behavioral change.