A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARDS FEMALE CONDOM USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS ATTENDING NAGURU TEENAGE INFORMATION AND HEALTH CENTRE,  KAMPALA DISTRICT.

Sharon  Nakirijja; Florence  Nabushawo Okecho

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v4i3.304

Authors

Sharon Nakirijja School of Nursing and Midwifery, Clarke International University.
Florence Nabushawo Okecho School of Nursing and Midwifery, Clarke International University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v4i3.304

Keywords:

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Female condom use, Young Adults, Adolescents, Kampala district

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of female condom use among adolescents and young adults attending Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre, Kampala district in July 2021.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was used among 384 participants. The inclusion criteria considered adolescents and young adults.

Results:

Analyses revealed that less than a quarter of the participants (24.7%) had ever used a female condom. Indeed, this is confirmed by the interval of use which was reported to be common “sometimes” (83.1%). Regarding knowledge of condom use among the participants surveyed; more-than half (86.2%) had ever heard of female condoms. The commonest sources of information on female condom use included parents, health facilities, and media outlets. Most participants didn’t know how to fit a female condom (64.1%) and most reported that they didn’t know how to introduce a female condom by self. Most participants (51.3%) strongly disagreed that female condom use reduces sexual pleasure.

Conclusion:

Estimates from reports from this survey reflect that few adolescents and young adults use female condoms. More efforts are required to promote the use of female condoms among these age groups. The provision of information and open discussion about female contraception could influence their knowledge, attitude, and female condom use.

Recommendations:

For the service providers, adolescents, and young adults: the provision of information and open discussion about female contraception could influence their knowledge, attitude, and female condom use. Culture, religion, and approval of the female condom approach are still strong in the national context; this is reflected in the reports from the surveyed participants in this study thus interfering with the decision to use female condoms. The inclusion of partners and religious leaders in reproductive strategies hence constitutes a positive turning point in promoting female condom knowledge, attitude, and practice.

Author Biographies

Sharon Nakirijja , School of Nursing and Midwifery, Clarke International University.

Sharon Nakirijja is an enthusiastic nurse and a researcher; born on 11^th April, 1998. She is so passionate about child health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and mental health. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing science from Clarke international University in March, 2022 with an experience of working in public health facilities. She attained training in Primary trauma care at Gulu regional referral hospital in December, 2022. She has worked as a dispenser with different pharmacies and as a health educator in different hospitals and different medical camps organized by different Rotary and Rotaract clubs.