title: Safety and acceptability of the Reality condom for anal sex among men who have sex with men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess safety and acceptability of Reality condoms for anal sex among men who have sex with men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crossover study among HIV-seroconcordant (33 HIV-negative and 5 HIV-positive) monogamous male couples, randomized to latex male and Reality condom use with anal sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Slippage with removal was reported more frequently with Reality than male latex condoms [odds ratio (OR), 2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-5.8 for receptive partners and OR, 34.1; 95% CI, 13.8-84.1 for insertive partners]. Receptive partners more frequently reported pain or discomfort (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 2.6-9.4) and rectal bleeding (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.9-4.1) with Reality condoms than male condoms. Over 20% reported willingness to use the Reality condom in the future with a partner of unknown HIV status; willingness was associated with past problems with male condoms and no problems with Reality condoms among receptive partners, and with past use of Reality condoms and HIV seropositivity among insertive partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men reported more frequent problems with Reality condoms than male latex condoms used for anal intercourse, particularly slippage, discomfort, and rectal bleeding. Design modifications, training, and research on the clinical significance of safety outcomes are needed for use of Reality condoms with anal sex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98104, USA.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Renzi
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Tabet
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stucky
authors.forename: Niles
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: Anne S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Coletti
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Surawicz
authors.forename: S Nicholas
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Agoff
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Heagerty
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Connie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Celum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000009:adverse effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011349:Proctitis / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries; D012725:Sexual Behavior