Acceptability of female condom among sex workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Out of 1200 monitoring sheets 1068 was analyzed, a total of 16,730 sexual intercourses were reported through the study period, 49% of the sexual acts reported were practiced using female condom with satisfaction rate of 81 % by both the women and their clients. A progressively increasing female condom use was seen with a higher use rate compared to male condom uses starting from the fourth week of the study period. The participants also reported why they liked using the female condom. Among the reasons; its strength, its lower interferences to conduct the usual sexual intercourses and the fact that they had more control over the device were mentioned. Although, few of them had reported disliking its shape, much lubricant and fear of slippage the study prevailed female condom use and practice among the group of women involved in prostitution is a highly acceptable and cost effective option in the prevention and control of HIV/STI transmission and unwanted pregnancies.