Adolescent girls' communication with partners about microbicide use.
BACKGROUND
Topical microbicides could be a female-controlled method of preventing sexually transmissible infections. Despite the possibility of surreptitious use, most women report that they would tell partners, and microbicides may be detectable. The purpose of the present study was to examine communication between adolescent girls and their partners regarding microbicides.


METHODS
Girls (aged 14-21 years) participated in a 6-month study in which they were given vaginal moisturisers to use when they had intercourse. Data was collected about their demographics, sexual histories and conversations with mothers and partners. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted.


RESULTS
Girls (n = 171) were asked about conversations with their partners. Talking with mothers and using the product were significantly related to talking with partners. Reasons for not talking were intrapersonal or interpersonal variables, the context of the relationship did not warrant an explanation and the lack of a decision to communicate. There seemed to be no difference in conversations for those who used or did not use. Girls had conversations with their partners when deciding to be in the study, when they were engaged in study activities or when deciding to use the product. Conversations about using the product focused on needing to use the product because of study demands, the lubricating properties or wanting to experience product use.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the girls talked to their partners and had positive conversations. Girls may need help initiating conversations and managing reluctant partners.
Short
Mary B
MB
Department of Psychology, University of Houston - Clear Lake, Houston, TX 77578, USA.
Ramos
Stephanie
S
Oakes
Jennifer K
JK
Rosenthal
Susan L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies