High-risk adolescents and female condoms: Knowledge, attitudes, and use patterns

Purpose: To explore data on high-risk male and female adolescents' attitude s towards female condoms, compared with male condoms. Methods: Exploratory survey research was utilized with a convenience sample of 65 high-risk adolescents at an emergency homeless shelter. A peer-led i ntervention was conducted and pre-test and post-test interviews explored ba rriers to female condom use. The intervention consisted of 15- to 30-minute small group sessions, discussing female condoms' construction; purpose of the rings; efficacy preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STIs); and how to lubricate, insert, and use. Content and Chi-square anal yses were utilized. Results: Sixty-three percent used male condoms as their primary contracepti ve method; almost half (48%) said they always used male condoms, but 44% re ported having sex without a male condom at least once in the 2 weeks prior to pre-lest. Ninety-five percent had heard of the female condom, half 'good ' and 24% 'bad' things, but only 15% had ever used one. At post-test all re spondents gave reasons they might use female condoms in the future, and 77% gave reasons why they might not. Most (73%) adolescents said they would st ill prefer the male to the female condom. The major potential barriers to a dolescents' female condom use were not having female condoms available and/ or females feeling uncomfortable inserting Conclusions: Female condoms should be offered to adolescents as an addition al choice rather than as replacements for male condoms. Further research is needed to assure access, availability, and comfort with female condoms and male participation in their use. (C) Society for Adolescents Medicine, 200 0.