Knowledge, attitudes, and practice gap in female condoms utilization among future health professionals. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Nursing student as a future frontline healthcare professionals play a critical role in promoting sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and influencing contraceptive behaviours within communities. However, there is limited evidence on their knowledge, attitude and utilization of female condoms among these health trainees. We, therefore, examined the knowledge, attitude, and utilization of female condoms among nursing students at the Nursing Training College, Ho.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 female students selected through simple random sampling at the NTC-Ho. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and analyzed using Stata Version 17. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to identify predictors of female condom utilization, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant for all analysis.

RESULTS

We found that more than half (55.5%) had poor knowledge with regard to the female condom. More than half (57.7%) had a positive attitude; however, utilization was low (7.7%). Perceived challenges for utilization were difficulty in access (25.7%) and preference for other contraceptives (21.8%), especially male condoms (47.8%). Marital status emerged as a significant predictor of female condom use (OR = 4.31, 95% CI: 1.10-16.82, p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that while participants' positive attitude was high, actual utilization remained very low. Integrating hands-on demonstrations of female condom, enhanced availability, incorporation of partner communication and negotiation skills training, will be essential to improve uptake and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.7, which aims to reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV by 2030.