Determinants Of Non-Use Of Female Condoms Among Undergraduate Students In Ekiti State

ABSTRACT

Background: Consistent theoretical use of condom is the most effective way of

preventing STDS transmission and unwanted pregnancies. Various studies have

suggested that women are more likely to get infected with sexually transmitted

diseases than men and to bear the consequences associated with unplanned

pregnancies, and STDs. The use of the female condom is seen as a way of

providing protection to women against sexually transmitted infections and

unwanted pregnancies.

Objective: The main objective was to examine the determinants of non-use of

female condoms among undergraduate students in Ekiti state.

Methodology: This study was a cross sectional study. It used a quantitative data

collection method. Data was collected from 250 female undergraduate students

in Ekiti State. Three tertiary institutions were selected for the study. These were

Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti;and, the

College of Health, Science and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti.

Results: The findings revealed that knowledge was a key determinant of usage

of female condoms (p=0.000). Lack of knowledge was responsible for non-use.

Some other factors responsible for non-use were: preference for other methods

stated as barrier by 32.0% of the respondents, non-availability of female

condoms was stated by 38.4%, lack of trust as far as protection was concerned

was stated as a barrier by 21.6% of the respondents. Preference for unprotected

sex was a barrier for 18.8% of the respondents. Although awareness of female

condom as a method of contraception was high (80.4%), Consistent use was discovered to be very low ( 4.0%)