The uptake of female condoms in the country is still low.
Condom use is one of the methods that governments worldwide have been advocating for to protect oneself against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases as well as prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Female condoms, which were first introduced in Kenya 25 years ago, are still struggling in the market.
According to Kenyatta National Hospital HIV Testing Services Counselor Daisy Chemutai, lack of awareness of the availability of the commodity could be one the reason why the uptake is still low.
She was speaking during the pre-world AIDS Day on Wednesday.
“The complexity of wearing the female condom is also another factor,” she said.
“You know for a female condom you have to insert it and a number of people find it quite complex and uncomfortable to wear it."
For a female condom, you have to stay up to 15 minutes before having sex.
“You don’t wear it and have sex immediately; you have to wait for about 15-30 Minutes and people find it uncomfortable,” she added.
Chemutai also noted that men are still hesitant to get intimate with a lady wearing a female condom.
For some weird reasons, they think that ladies can have sex with multiple partners using the same condom.
She is now calling for a countrywide sensitization on female condom usage as a way of fighting the rising cases of HIV/Aids infections and unwanted pregnancies.
A significant number of studies have also shown that a diverse range of contraceptive methods and STI/HIV prevention devices can help achieve safer sex practices.
The female condom is the only method that allows women to protect themselves and their partners.
It can empower women, give them a greater sense of self-reliance and autonomy, and enhance dialogue and negotiation with their sexual partners.
When used correctly and consistently, the female condom reduces the risk of HIV infection by 94–97%.
Female condoms are extremely effective at increasing protected sex and decreasing HIV and STI incidents.
