Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Despite the redesigning of the Reality condom (FC) to a new version of the
second generation female condom commonly known as (FC2), the users are persistently
constrained and concerned about the size and shape of this new version. Condom use is
aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 3, 5 and 6, which address gender
equality, improving maternal health and preventing HIV and AIDS.
AIM : To explore and describe the constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of
the FC2.
SETTING : The study was conducted at Tshwane health district in Gauteng province.
METHODS : A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. Individual in-depth
interviews that yielded narratives in a designated health district in South Africa were
conducted.
RESULTS : From the analysis of narratives three specific themes emerged. Firstly, the specific
theme was that the size and shape of FC2 is undesirable for the health care providers, which
may lead women to contract HIV and AIDS. The second theme was that the size and shape of
FC2 and female genitals makes insertion complicated and predisposes women to be vulnerable
in sexual relationships. The third was that the size and shape of FC2 results in pain and
discomfort during coitus, exposing women to unwanted pregnancies and HIV and AIDS.
CONCLUSIONS : The findings indicated the need for an evocative collaborative, interdisciplinary
‘walk the talk’ sexual health and AIDS education training programme for health care providers
in primary health care facilities. Such programmes, if maintained, may assist health care providers to achieve the MDG 3, 5 and 6.
