title: Empowering Women or Pleasing Men? Analyzing Male Views on Female Condom Use in Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Usage rates of female condoms are low throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Programs have traditionally presented female condoms as a means of women's empowerment. However, prevailing gender norms in Sub-Saharan Africa assign sexual decision making to men, suggesting that male acceptance is imperative for increased use.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2011, data on perceptions of and experiences with female condom use were collected from 336 men in Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Cameroon through 37 focus group discussions and six in-depth interviews; participants also completed pre-focus group discussion questionnaires. The data were analyzed by country, using thematic content analysis. Results were stratified by marital status and regularity of female condom use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perceived advantages of female condoms over other protection methods were enhanced pleasure, effectiveness and lack of side effects. Single and married men preferred using female condoms with stable rather than casual partners, and for purposes of contraception rather than protection from infections. In Cameroon and Nigeria, where contraceptive rates are lower than in Zimbabwe, men favored female condoms as a contraceptive device. Its acceptability as a method of protection from HIV infection is greater in highly AIDS-affected Zimbabwe than in the other two countries. In Cameroon, some men did report regular use of female condoms in casual encounters. Initiation of female condom use by men's stable partners was not acceptable in any of the countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest the importance of accounting for local contexts and targeting both men and women in campaigns to promote female condom use.
authors.affiliation: Senior Researcher, Amsterdam Institute of Global Health and Development, m.groot.bruinderink@aiid.org.
authors.forename: Winny
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Koster
authors.forename: Marije Groot
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bruinderink
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Janssens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002163:Cameroon; D017280:Condoms; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003657:Decision Making; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe