Women's interest in vaginal microbicides
Darroch, J.E.; Frost, J.J.
Family Planning Perspectives 31(1): 16-23
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-7354 PMID: 10029928 DOI: 10.2307/2991552Document Number: 281087
Research is underway to develop safe, effective microbicides that women can use vaginally to prevent sexually transmitted disease (STD) transmission. To estimate potential interest in microbicide use, interviews were conducted in 1998 with a nationally representative sample of 1000 sexually active US women 18-44 years of age. 20% of these women had either had an STD in the past or thought they might be infected. 93% of respondents indicated they would be interested in using a vaginal microbicide if they found themselves in a situation where they were at risk of STD transmission and 40% expressed current interest in such a product. Women who were not in a union were almost 3 times as likely as cohabiting women and 12 times as likely as married women to be both worried about contracting an STD and very interested in using a vaginal microbicide. Women who were 25-34 years of age, had a family income under US$20,000, did not have a college education, and were Black or Hispanic also were significantly more likely to express worry about their STD risk and interest in the product. The strongest independent predictor of whether a woman was worried about STDs and very interested in using a microbicide was whether she and her partner were already using condoms for STD prevention (odds ratio, 8.8). Two-thirds of respondents preferred a product that could be applied several hours before intercourse and was available without a prescription. 84% said they would use microbicide along with condoms rather than as a substitute for them. The findings of this survey suggest an estimated 12.6 million US women 15-44 years of age would be interested in current use of a microbicide. More than 7 million of these women would remain interested even if the product protected only against HIV, was just 70-80% effective, and cost $2 per application. Given this level of interest, the development, testing, and marketing of such products should be expedited.