Microbicide applicators: understanding design preferences among women in the dominican republic and South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to prioritize applicator design attributes among women in the Dominican Republic and South Africa, and to determine how preferences differed based on sociodemographic variables.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to identify acceptable microbicide applicator designs in 2 low-resource settings.


METHODS
We surveyed 895 women, randomly sampled from clinics in the Dominican Republic (n = 449) and South Africa (n = 446), with questions on sociodemographics, applicator attribute preferences, and price/design tradeoffs.


RESULTS
Single-use design was the most valued attribute, and reusable design and low price were the least valued attributes in both populations. Preference for single-use design was associated with concern about reusable applicators spreading germs, secondary or higher education, older age, having children, and perception of moderate to high HIV risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Acceptability factors related to microbicide delivery mechanisms should continue to be evaluated among potential microbicide users to directly inform product development and introduction of microbicides.
Cohen
Jessica A
JA
PATH, Seattle, Washington, USA. jcohen@path.org
Steele
Matthew S
MS
Ureña
Francisco I Cáceres
FI
Beksinska
Mags E
ME
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents