Increasing use of the female condom through video instruction

The female condom is effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases and when used properly reduces risk of HIV infection among women. This field experiment evaluated the effect of a video presentation on reported use of and satisfaction with the female condom. Participants were 100 women tested for HIV infection in a community agency. Ages ranged from 17 to 62 years, and one fifth of the sample were African American or Hispanic. The 23 women who viewed an instructional video were significantly more likely than 13 of the control group of 50 to try the condom and report to the researcher. Video viewing was unrelated to liking the product and future intent to use. Almost three quarters of those who used the condoms reported they liked and would use them.