Abstract
Duet® is a microbicide-delivery system and cervical barrier for use daily or precoitally. We conducted a crossover study among
80 Zimbabwean women to explore factors associated with use-regimen preference. Women were assigned in random order to 14 days
of precoital and 14 days of daily Duet and BufferGel use. About 51 % of women preferred precoital use, 39 % preferred daily
use, and 10 % liked both equally. Overall product adherence during sex was similar for both use-regimens. In multivariable
analysis, diaphragm experience was associated with preference for precoital use (AOR 2.80, 95 % CI 1.01–7.76). Reasons for
preferring precoital use included use only when needed, cleanliness, and discomfort with daily use. Daily use preference included
convenience, discreetness, and being prepared for “sex-on-demand.” Different personal and life circumstances may result in
varying use-regimen preferences. Methods that can accommodate both coitally-related and daily use may be advantageous by providing
more choice to users.
80 Zimbabwean women to explore factors associated with use-regimen preference. Women were assigned in random order to 14 days
of precoital and 14 days of daily Duet and BufferGel use. About 51 % of women preferred precoital use, 39 % preferred daily
use, and 10 % liked both equally. Overall product adherence during sex was similar for both use-regimens. In multivariable
analysis, diaphragm experience was associated with preference for precoital use (AOR 2.80, 95 % CI 1.01–7.76). Reasons for
preferring precoital use included use only when needed, cleanliness, and discomfort with daily use. Daily use preference included
convenience, discreetness, and being prepared for “sex-on-demand.” Different personal and life circumstances may result in
varying use-regimen preferences. Methods that can accommodate both coitally-related and daily use may be advantageous by providing
more choice to users.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0256-4
- Authors
- Ariane van der Straten, Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, 114 Sansome Street, suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, 114 Sansome Street, suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
- Sue Mavedzenge, Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, 114 Sansome Street, suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
- Petina Musara, UZ-UCSF Collaborative Research Programme in Women’s Health, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Helen Cheng, Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, 114 Sansome Street, suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
- Alix Lutnick, RTI International, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Cynthia Woodsong, International Partnership for Microbicides, Paarl, South Africa
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165