Case records and commentaries in obstetrics and gynaecology
Abstract
Background: Dual method use is increasingly being advocated for the simultaneous
prevention of undesired pregnancy and sexuallv transmitted infections including
HIV/AIDS.
Objective: To determine knowledge, attitude and practice of dual method of
contraception among family planning clients.
Design: Cross-sectional study
Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital's Family Welfare Clinic.
Subjects: Reproductive age women accessing family planning services at the hospital.
Materials and methods: A total of 270 women who had been on a non-barrier method of
family planning for at least 6 months were interviewed between the months of October
2006 and January 2007.
Results: The respondents' knowledge on whether HIV/STDS can be acquired together
with an undesired pregnancy in one single intercourse was high (91.1%). The knowledge
on dual method use was low at 9.9% though knowledge of use of condoms as dual
protection was high at 82.2%.
There was a positive attitude towards dual method use (97%), however only 30% would
consider using a condom along with their current family planning method. Those
employed, those not married and those who considered themselves at risk of HIV/STDS
were more likely to consider using dual method (p=0.003, 0.013 and 0.012 respectively).
Only 38.1% of respondents thought their partners would not approve condom use.
The use of dual method was very low with only 8.9% using the dual method consistently
throughout their sexual intercourse one month prior to interview. Only 23.7% had used
the dual method at some time in the year preceding the interview while 14.1% had used
the method in their most recent sexual intercourse. Those who were not married, those
who do not live together with their partners and those who had a history of abortion were
more likely to use dual method (p=<0.001, p=<0.001, p=0.040 respectively).
The main facilitatory reasons for dual method use was when the respondents wished to
protect themselves (38.3%), while the main reason given for non-use of the dual method
was that they had a steady relationship, trusted partner or were married (58.9%)
Conclusion: Despite many people knowing that pregnancy and HIV/STD can be
acquired simultaneously very few know and actually use the dual method of protection
and this is more often when they want to protect themselves.
Citation
Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nairobi, 2007Publisher
University of Nairobi, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology