"Give what the people want": a situational analysis of condom distribution and a feasibility study of user-friendly condoms in Cape Town, South Africa

SOURCE: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2018
TITLE AUTHOR(S): H.Baker, A.Fried, A.Cloete, C.Sigel, D.Miranda, J.Guillen, R.Rochat, A.Siegler
KEYWORDS: CONDOM USE, RISK BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 10655
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/13212
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/13212

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Abstract

Condom use has remained low in South Africa despite efforts by the government to make condoms accessible to all. We assessed condom availability, procurement/distribution, and education practices, and explored perceptions of and interest in an expanded array of condom options, including fitted male condoms in Cape Town, South Africa. We conducted 11 key informant interviews with staff members from two sexual health organizations and four state-owned clinics. Key informants (a) were interested in their organizations offering an expanded variety of male condom options including different sizes, colors, and flavors; and (b) substantiated the capacity that their organizations had to integrate alternative condom options into existing procurement, distribution, and education programs. Challenges discussed included securing funding, educating clients, and addressing logistical issues of stocking and distributing new condom types. Further research should explore whether providing condoms with a greater array of characteristics could improve condom use in South Africa.