NAMIBIA: Female condom still has a long way to go

JOHANNESBURG, 7 Dec 2004 (PLUSNEWS) - A study on condom use in Namibia, conducted by the National Social Marketing Programme (NASOMA), said consumers found the female condom, the femidom, was not readily available, and complained of its high price.

Despite high levels of awareness about the female condom, the product was found to be the least favoured prevention method by all target groups, a local newspaper, New Era, reported.

The research revealed that 80 percent of commercial sex workers and truck drivers used condoms during sexual intercourse, while only 54 percent of the youth used them. Some commercial sex workers also said their sexual partners objected to use of the femidom.

The survey was carried out in the high prevalence areas of Oshakati and Ondangwa in the Oshana region, and Keetmanshoop in the Karas region.

[ENDS]