Consumer Preference Study of the Female Condom in a Sexually Active Population at Risk of Contracting AIDS
CHUANCHOM SAKONDHAVAT,M.D.*, YUTHAPONG WEERAV ATRAKUL, M.D.*,
TONY BENETTE, B.Sc.**, PATTAMAVADEE PINITSOONTORN, B.Sc.*,
CHUSRI KUCHAISIT, M.Sc. *, PANNEE KUKIEATTIKOOL B.Sc.*,
KEMTONG PONGSA TRA, B.Sc. ***
Affiliation : *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen Universtity, Khon Kaen 40002,
**Family Health International, Bangkok 10200,
***Comunicable Disease Control Center, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand.
AbstractTo determine the acceptability of the female condom among commercial sex workers in
Khon Kaen, Thailand. Twenty sex workers from a massage parlor and 21 from a brothel were
trained in the use of the female condom. The voluntary participants were instructed about the risk
of HIV and advised that they could use the female condom as an alternative method to the male
condom for protection. The female condom was used in 28.4 per cent and 17.8 per cent episodes
of sex in each site during the two weeks. Continuation of use of the female condom increased
from 0 per cent in the first group to 43 per cent in the second group. The reasons for disconti
nuing its use were that it was inconvenient and because of their partners' objection. More users
said they liked the female condom even though more thought it was difficult to insert and it did
cause pain. However, they would recommend it to others and most felt that other women would
want to try it. The participants also saw the advantage of the female condom as a back-up method
in case of clients' refusal to use the male condom but all prefered the male condom if there was
a choice.
Keywords : HIV/AIDS, Female Condom, Sex Worker
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