Acceptance and use of the female condom among women with incomplete abortion in rural Tanzania.
BACKGROUND
This study describes the outcome of a postabortion care intervention aimed at introducing the female condom as a means of preventing women from having unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV.


METHODS
Postabortion contraceptive counseling and services were offered to 548 women admitted to the Kagera Regional Hospital for incomplete abortion. The counseling included information about STI/HIV and the use male or female condom. In total, 521 (95%) women accepted contraception.


RESULTS
Contraceptive use was assessed 3 months after abortion among 475 (91%) women. The female condom was accepted by 201 of 521 (39%) and was used by 158 of 521 (30%). Women who had experienced an unsafe abortion, had attended secondary school or earned an income were more likely to accept the female condom. The women were generally satisfied with the method, and the majority intended to use it again.


CONCLUSIONS
Postabortion care programs provide an excellent entry point for introducing the female condom as a contraceptive method for the prevention of both repeat unwanted pregnancies and STI/HIV infection.
Rasch
Vibeke
V
Department of International Health, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark. v.rasch@pubhealth.ku.dk
Yambesi
Fortunata
F
Kipingili
Rose
R
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013636:Tanzania