title: Use of self home-made diaphragm for protection against pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections: case report.
abstract: This is a case report of a 44-year-old woman who used a home-made diaphragm for 16 years to protect herself from pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections. The woman stitched a piece of cloth with folded polythene inside. This case report provides a vivid illustration of the limitations of available methods of protection for women. It consists of an introduction to the topic, a description of her experiences using her home-made diaphragm and a discussion of the significance of the case. This report supports the need for additional research on female-controlled methods of protection against sexually-transmitted infections, methods that can be used without male knowledge and co-operation, such as vaginal microbicides and cervical barriers against infection, including the diaphragm.
authors.affiliation: International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, P.O. Box 91109, Mombasa, Kenya.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schroth
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luchters
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chersich
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jao
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temmerman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D042121:Contraception, Barrier / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D012648:Self Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*