Rectal microbicides for U.S. gay men. Are clinical trials needed? Are they feasible? HIVNET Vaccine Preparedness Study Protocol Team.
OBJECTIVE
Incomplete condom use during anal sex persists among gay men; microbicides may provide additional protection. Despite the absence of efficacy or safety data, many gay men use sexual lubricants containing nonoxynol-9 (N-9), a detergent-based spermicide under evaluation for efficacy as a vaginal microbicide.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate unprotected sex, lubricant use, and attitudes regarding possible participation in clinical trials of rectal microbicides among high-risk human immunodeficiency virus-(HIV) seronegative U.S. gay men in six cities.


METHODS
A total of 3,257 gay men were interviewed and responded to a self-administered questionnaire at enrollment into a longitudinal cohort study of HIV seroincidence.


RESULTS
Among 2,216 men who practiced receptive anal intercourse in the previous 6 months, 438 (20%) reported they never used condoms. More than three fourths of 3,093 men who had anal sex used lubricants more than 80% of the time. 41% of whom actively sought N-9 containing products. About two thirds said they were definitely or probably willing to participate in rectal microbicide clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Condom use is imperfect among men who report anal sex. N-9 lubricants are popular. Most gay men in this cohort indicate willingness to participate in rectal microbicide studies.
Gross
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M
Abt Associates Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Buchbinder
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SP
Celum
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C
Heagerty
P
P
Seage
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GR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017280:Condoms; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008153:Lubrication; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol