A look at female condoms from public school students

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Sciences
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Understanding social representations of female condoms is crucial for reproductive health.
• Previous research highlights varying perceptions and barriers to female condom adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe the social representations of female condoms among female students.
• To identify factors influencing the use and non-use of female condoms.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study utilizing the Theory of Social Representations.
• Free word association test administered to 94 female students from diverse educational backgrounds in Bahia, Brazil.
• Evocations analyzed using EVOC and IRAMUTEQ software.

Main Results:

• Students perceive female condoms as a tool for autonomy, protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy prevention.
• Key barriers to use include perceptions of discomfort and unfamiliarity with the female condom.
• Social representations indicate a gap in practical knowledge and information exchange regarding female condom use.

Conclusions:

• Social representations reveal a dual perception of female condoms, acknowledging benefits while citing usability concerns.
• There is a clear need for targeted strategies to enhance information dissemination and practical understanding of female condoms among students.
• Interventions should address perceived discomfort and unfamiliarity to promote wider adoption of female condoms.