At baseline, the approximately 160 eligible women at each site were tested for various STDs, and these tests will be repeated at 6 and 12 months. STD test results at baseline were high enough for study purposes, and variation between sites within pairs low enough. The study being feasible, it will continue to be conducted as designed. For the first time in Uganda, the female condom is being widely marketed by Marie Stopes International, locally known as MSI-Uganda. There has been a remarkably positive response to the female condom.
Preliminary results indicate that the product is acceptable to urban sexually active women.
Most women have applauded the female condom as another leap towards a gender balanced society. Awareness of the female condom is promoted through seminars, workshops, conferences, trade exhibitions and the most recent Medic Africa Display. Various groups, including healthcare providers, students, and army members have been educated about its use. Experience from these activities indicates that although it has shown to contribute to women's sense of empowerment, it has undoubtedly brought anxiety to many men. The female condom is distributed and sold in pharmacies and retail shops country-wide and sales have been quite impressive.