BUJUMBURA, March 28th (ABP) – The female condom, also known as the “femidom” or “preso”, is comparable to the male condom. It is a thin, flexible sheath made of polyurethane or synthetic nitrile for single use, with a flexible ring at both ends.
According to Dorine Iradukunda, head of the dispensing pharmacy at Burundian Association for Family Welfare (ABUBEF), the female condom covers the vaginal walls and the cervix and acts as a barrier during penetration. After intercourse, the condom should be gently removed and disposed of in the bin. It is for single use only, she told ABP in an interview.
Mrs. Iradukunda added that the advantages of the female condom are that it prevents pregnancy and protects against most sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, and because it is adapted to the anatomy of the vagina, it is stronger and can also be used during breastfeeding. On the downside, the female condom does not interfere with the hormonal system or the length of the cycle.
She said that it is 98% effective, but in reality, with slips, tears or even the time at which it is installed, failures can reach 15% in practice.
However, the condom is rarely available. In four private pharmacies, in two public health centers, in two hotels visited by ABP, in the Carama and Jabe neighbourhoods, in Bujumbura town hall, the female condom does not exist. There is little demand for them, as women and men are unaware of the use of the female condom due to a lack of awareness about its use and effectiveness.
Having realised that, ABUBEF went out and bought one, and now has young people and adults in charge of raising awareness about family planning, and all methods are accepted,” said Mrs. Iradukunda.
Femidom is one of those family planning methods, and women who are familiar with its use and effectiveness come to ABUBEF to obtain it, she said.
That family planning method is available free of charge from ABUBEF. It is calling on all those who wish to use that method to open their doors.