Acceptability of hypothetical microbicides among women in sex establishments in rural areas in Southern China.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to measure the potential acceptability of a hypothetical microbicide among women in sex establishments in rural areas of Southern China and demographic, behavioral, and social context factors likely to affect microbicide acceptability.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional survey, using a quota sampling, among 300 women from sex establishments in 3 rural towns. An interviewer-administered standardized questionnaire was used to measure the acceptability score of hypothetical microbicides' characteristics, as well as sexual relationships and behaviors and other contextual factors.


RESULTS
Findings showed a generally positive response to microbicides, indicated by an acceptability index score of 2.89 (SD, 0.56, scale of 1-4) in the overall sample. Multivariate analysis shows that the acceptability score varied significantly by study sites, type of sex-work establishments, marital status, sex partner type, vaginal product experience, locus of control by partners, and locus of control by chance.


CONCLUSIONS
Microbicides may be acceptable among sex workers in rural settings in China; however, contextual factors should be carefully considered in education and promotion of microbicides in the future.
Wang
Yu
Y
Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Liao
Su-Su
SS
Weeks
Margaret R
MR
Jiang
Jing-Mei
JM
Abbott
Maryann
M
Zhou
Yue-Jiao
YJ
He
Bin
B
Liu
Wei
W
Mosack
Katie E
KE
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D019035:Rural Health Services; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents