title: Acceptability and use of sexual barrier products and lubricants among HIV-seropositive Zambian men.
abstract: This study assessed the acceptability and preference for sexual barrier and lubricant products among men in Zambia following trial and long-term use. It also examined the role of men's preferences as facilitators or impediments to product use for HIV transmission reduction within the Zambian context. HIV-seropositive and -serodiscordant couples were recruited from HIV voluntary counseling and testing centers in Lusaka between 2003 and 2006; 66% of those approached agreed to participate. HIV seropositive male participants participated in a product exposure group intervention (n = 155). Participants were provided with male and female condoms and vaginal lubricants (Astroglide [BioFilm, Inc., Vista, CA] & KY gels [Johnson & Johnson, Langhorne, PA], Lubrin suppositories [Kendwood Therapuetics, Fairfield, NJ]) over three sessions; assessments were conducted at baseline, monthly over 6 months and at 12 months. At baseline, the majority of men reported no previous exposure to lubricant products or female condoms and high (79%) levels of consistent male condom use in the last 7 days. Female condom use increased during the intervention, and male condom use increased at 6 months and was maintained over 12 months. The basis for decisions regarding lubricant use following product exposure was most influenced by a preference for communicating with partners; participant preference for lubricant products was distributed between all three products. Results illustrate the importance of development of a variety of products for prevention of HIV transmission and of inclusion of male partners in interventions to increase sexual barrier product use to facilitate barrier acceptability and use in Zambia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. djones@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chitalu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mumbi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shine
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vamos
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Villar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D054327:Lubricants; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult; D015024:Zambia
chemical_list: C076620:Astroglide; D054327:Lubricants; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; D005990:Glycerol