Health department ups spending on female condoms

South Africa's Department of Health has allocated R38 million (US$5 million) to increasing the distribution of female condoms this year.

According to spokesperson Sibani Mngadi, the health department is to distribute three million female condoms in 2006, with the goal of empowering women to protect themselves from HIV infection. Distribution has increased steadily from 1.3 million in 2003 to 2.6 million in 2004.

"This follows indications that there is increased acceptability of these condoms amongst users," he said.

Female condoms cost the government about R8 ($1.10) each, compared to 22 cents ($0.03) per male condom, and are available free of charge through the public health sector.

The South African Press Association reported that cost was not the biggest barrier to increased usage.

Katy Pepper, regional programme manager of the non-profit Female Health Foundation, said lack of health worker training, access and cultural biases were other factors affecting uptake of the female condom.

"It has its problems, such as slippage, and is not the answer to the HIV pandemic," she said. "But the intention is to give men and women choices, and women more options to protect themselves."