Recorded presentation

Katie E. Mosack, PhD¹, Margaret R. Weeks, PhD², Marilyn Stolar, PhD³, Maryann Abbott, MA², and Laurie Novick Sylla, BSW, MHSA⁴. (1) Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 North Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, 414-456-7700, kmosack@mcw.edu, (2) Institute for Community Research, 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100, Hartford, CT 06106-5128, (3) Yale University, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1B, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, (4) Yale School of Nursing, CT AIDS Education and Training Center, 40 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8034

Background: Vaginal microbicides could provide an important alternative for women in the prevention of HIV and other STIs. Researchers have examined women’s preferences for specific microbicide characteristics; however, little is known whether women who report willingness to use them are able to do so with a variety of partners. This study examines the willingness and ability of high-risk African American and Puerto Rican women to use a simulated microbicide product during a two-week trial. Methods: 96 women were asked to use the product and report their experiences with different partner types. Frequencies were computed for reported experiences and the CART method was applied to participants’ personal and relational characteristics to determine which variables successfully predicted simulated microbicide use during participants’ most recent sexual encounters. Results: All but one woman used the product and they used it an average of 82-94% of the time. The majority of the participants reported liking the simulated product and that their partners did not care or did not know they were using it. Women wished to use microbicides in order to feel in control of their health, not have to ask their partner, and because they would be easier to use than condoms. Women who used the simulated product differed from those who did not by number of sexual encounters, partner type, perceived HIV risk, perceived relational power, experience with other vaginal products, and income. Conclusions: The results have important implications for the promotion of microbicides among women at high risk of HIV infection.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to
• discuss the most common positive and negative experiences with a simulated vaginal microbicide product,
• identify the variables that predicted simulated vaginal microbicide use, and
• understand the role power and perceived risk might have for women’s likelihood of using microbicides when they become available.

Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Disease Prevention

Related Web page: www.incommunityresearch.org/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Replens vaginal moisturizer; please note that this product was used as a simulated microbicide. We have no relationship with the Replens company and received no compensation from them for using the product in this study.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation