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. 2023 Jun 29:5:100095.
doi: 10.1016/j.conx.2023.100095. eCollection 2023.

Female condom color and scent preference in Durban, South Africa

Mags Beksinska  1 , Jenni Smit  1 , Amanda Mona  1 , Virginia Maphumulo  1 , Nonhlanhla Mphili  1 , Nontsikelelo Manzini-Matebula  2 , Thato Chidarikire  3
Affiliations

Female condom color and scent preference in Durban, South Africa

Mags Beksinska et al. Contracept X. .

Abstract

Objectives: To assess preferences for female condom (FC) colors and scents.

Study design: Women aged 18-40 years were randomized to one of three FCs (FC2, Cupid1, Cupid2) two of which offered a choice of color and scent (red/strawberry, purple/vanilla, natural/unscented). Women could choose any variety within condom types while participating in an FC contraceptive efficacy study in South Africa.

Results: One hundred and thirty-three women were allocated to each FC type. Strawberry was the most popular variety for both FC2 and Cupid1 (60.9%, 78.3% respectively). Some women chose more than one variety but few chose the natural.

Conclusions: Data support a clear preference for colored and scented FCs.

Implications: These data can inform FC programme managers to predict demand for different varieties of FC and can adjust supply of FCs accordingly.

Keywords: Acceptability; Africa; Color; Female condoms; Scent.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Female condom evaluated by women in South Africa in the user preference study. From left to right: FC2 strawberry, vanilla and natural, Cupid1 strawberry, and natural.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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