Safety and acceptability of the Reality condom for anal sex among men who have sex with men.
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.
Renzi
Cristina
C
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98104, USA.
Tabet
Stephen R
SR
Stucky
Jason A
JA
Eaton
Niles
N
Coletti
Anne S
AS
Surawicz
Christina M
CM
Agoff
S Nicholas
SN
Heagerty
Patrick J
PJ
Gross
Michael
M
Celum
Connie L
CL
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