initiated contraceptive method that provides protection against
unintended pregnancy as wellas sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV.
Somehow, uptake of the female condom in this country remains low as it
has been primarily positioned as a family planning commodity andhas
not been well integrated within HIV and AIDS programming. Research
from other countries indicate that effective national promotion of the
female condom has the potential to expand contraceptive choice and
thusincrease overall contraceptive prevalence.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that successful promotion of the female
condom may pave the way for successful introduction of other
prospective female-initiated methods, such as microbicides.
In response to the low use of female condoms in this country, an
exploratory study was conducted to gain an understanding of the
current and historical landscape of female condom procurement and
distribution in Ghana and to explore the viability of enhancing
nationalfemale condom programming; and address the programmatic
barriers that hinder access to and use of the female condom.
The study, according to Dr.Yaa Asante, National Programme Manager for
Family Planning of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), revealed that
stakeholders were in agreement that momentum has waned substantially
since the female condom was initially launched in May 2000.
She said the study also indicated that financial support for large
scale promotion and distribution was lacking.
Furthermore, the majority of stakeholders expressed a strong belief in
the female condom's potential and feels that greater attention and
resources should be committed to its promotion, Dr Asante added.
While the product is reportedly available in both the public and
private sector,social marketing efforts are virtually absent.
Information, education, and communication materials are limited and
distribution primarily occurs inurban areas. In addition, programmers
have limited information about current or prospective female condom
users.
It is for these reasons that the Ghana Health Service in collaboration
with its partnershas planned to re-launch the female condom in the
country.
The programme seeks to increase public awareness and acceptance of
female condoms and to promote its use as an essential tool for the
prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection,
includingHIV. Ms Claudette Diogo, a Programme Officer of the Family
Health Division of the GHS said the re-launch of the female condom
would be held on October 31 at the Mandela Park at Ashaiman, under the
theme "female condom for double protection."
She noted that the initial launch of the female condom in Ghana in May
2000 recorded many successes, including the exceptional levelof
co-ordination among stakeholders and the effective training of a broad
range of clinical and non-clinical personnel.
The launch was also largely successful in raising product awareness,
she added. Despite the current lull in activity with regard to female
condom promotion, interest and nominal support for it at the policy
level are high. Thisis evidenced by the female condom inclusion in the
reproductive health and HIV and AIDS policy frameworks, service
provider guidelines, and the revised curricula for in-service
training.
"There is a relatively strong platform for enhancing promotion of the
product in Ghana." said Ms Diogo. "The environment is appropriate for
moving forward to enhance female condom promotion because many key
stakeholders have a strong belief in the product's potential and are
supportive of focusing greater attention and resources toward its
promotion," she added.
She indicated that the Government and its partners have purchased over
1,300,000 pieces of female condoms for distribution to public, civil
society organisations and non-governmental organisations.Moreover,
there are plans to introduce new models of the female condoms into the
country to increase client's choice.
Ms Diogo said the re-launch will be followed by intense efforts to
involve the social marketing companies in the female condom promotion
and also to develop local brandingand attractive packaging.
Testimonials from satisfied users would also be employed"and this time
the GHS will move beyond the provision oftraditional IEC materials to
ensure that couples are equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills
to comfortably and effectively use the female condom.
Ms Diogo said the GHS was also addressing the weaknesses in the supply
chain to ensure that the product was consistently available,
particularly beyondthe urban areas to reach young adults in the rural
areas.
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