Knowledge, Attitudes and Utilisation of the Female Condom among High School Female Students in Kumba, Cameroon

Background: Cameroon has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.3% in the West and Central African Sub-region, with women being the most infected. The biological and socio-cultural vulnerability of women to HIV infection is not new. A proven effective female controlled prevention tool like the female condom is relatively new compared to the male condom in the prevention of HIV in Cameroon. Data related to its use and acceptability are rare. Relatively early onset of sexual activity amongst female students in Cameroon is a sad reality. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the knowledge, attitudes and use of the female condom amongst high school female students in the Kumba Urban area, Cameroon.
Methods: A descriptive design was adopted and carried out during the month of May 2014, on a representative sample of consenting high school female students, from a sample of high schools in Kumba. Pretested questionnaires in English language were self-administered to 398 students. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software.
Results: Most female high school students (67.3%) knew about female condoms and 75.6% of them knew that correct and consistent use of female condoms during sexual intercourse can prevent HIV transmission. However, lack of knowledge on how to correctly fit the female condom was seen in 68.1% of our sample. The main source of information with regards to female condoms was the mass media (64.6%). Perceived decrease in sexual satisfaction with its use was reported by 64.1% of the female students and only 38.7% of them felt that female condoms were readily available. The percentage of the sexually experienced female students who had ever used female condoms during sexual intercourse was also very low, 8.0%.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that including female condoms within the supplies package of the essential drug program in Cameroon and advocacy targeting international donors could help address the availability and affordability barriers. More quantitative and qualitative studies targeting students in rural areas, out-of-school females and male counterparts with regards female condoms could be very informative in setting up a comprehensive health education and HIV prevention strategy.