October 2001

Acceptability of the Female Condom After a Social Marketing Campaign in Campinas, Brazil

Using a pelvic model, sex workers learn how to insert the female condom. Photo credit: Steve Mobley

The female condom is a relatively new product that is intended to serve the dual role of protecting against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Recent research has found moderate to high levels of initial trial and acceptance of the female condom among women (WHO 1997; Berquó et al. 1999; Slaviero et al. 2000; Kerrigan et al. 2000). However, information is lacking about its continued use, particular among women at high risk of HIV and other STIs.

The female condom was registered in Brazil in January of 1997 and since then it has been available commercially through DKT, a social marketing organization. In addition to socially marketed female condoms, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has also given female condoms to public health clinics and community organizations to distribute free as part of targeted activities to vulnerable groups of women.

This report summarizes the findings from a study that examined the role of the female condom as a method of protection against HIV/STIs among female sex workers in Campinas, Brazil, who received increased access to the product and information about it through an educational and social marketing intervention.

• Study Methods
• Intervention Components
• Characteristics of the Study Population
• Key Findings
• Discussion and Conclusion
• References
• PDF format of summary (3637 KB)

Study investigators are Loren Galvão, formerly of the Population Council, Brazil; Juan Diaz, Population Council, Brazil; Steven Mobley, formerly of Horizons/PATH; Francisco Cabral, Reprolatina; Nádia Marchi, University of Campinas; and Maria Silvia Fruet, consultant.

About Horizons

Horizons conducts global operations research to improve prevention, care, and support program. Horizons is implemented by the Population Council under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Horizons is implemented by the Population Council in partnership with the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Tulane University, Family Health International (FHI), and Johns Hopkins University.

Copyright © 2001 The Population Council

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This page updated on
19 Oct 2007