Women's preferences for vaginal antimicrobial contraceptives. IV. Attributes of a formulation that would protect from STD/AIDS
Hardy, E.; de Pádua, K.S.; Osis, M.J.; Jiménez, A.L.; Zaneveld, L.J.
Contraception 58(4): 251-255
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-7824 PMID: 9866008 DOI: 10.1016/s0010-7824(98)00106-1Document Number: 279790
Vaginal formulations may have "dual" protective activity, against sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy. The attributes that women find acceptable or unacceptable for such dual protective methods were investigated. More than 50% of the women would not accept messiness, but it was more accepted for dual protective methods than for contraceptives. Very few women would use a dual protective method if it caused vaginal irritation, itching, swelling, or burning, problems associated with presented marketed methods. More than half of the women would use it if it appeared on the penis of their partner or required refrigeration. Use of an applicator to insert the formulation was generally preferred over a manual method. Most women preferred the formulation to be colorless or white, abut 16% liked light colors, and about 10% liked darker colors. Almost half of the women were willing to pay up to dollar sign5.00 per application of a dual protective formulation, about 15%, dollar sign3.00, and 30% dollar sign1.00. Dual protective methods seem highly acceptable and women would pay much more for them than for condoms. However, these methods should be free of problems usually associated with presently marketed formulations.