Reuse and Acceptability of the Female Condom in Nigeria

Aims: This study is determined to finding out the motivations for reuse; problems resulting from reuse of female condoms and, whether these affect its acceptability. Methods: This study reports on naturally occurring reuse from a small, purposive sample of self-identified women who, prior to the study, had reused the female condom of their own volition without reuse instruction. Results: Reporting that cost, inadequate supply, saving time and mere experimentation as motivating them; most of the respondents reported no problems with reuse. Conclusion: Irrespective of identified safety concerns, faced with barriers to single use of a female condom, majority of women will resort to reuse and rely on their own “common sense” notions to implement reuse.