Potential acceptability of microbicides in HIV prevention in stable marital relationships in Malawi.
BACKGROUND
The XVII International Conference on AIDS held in Mexico City in August 2008 emphasised the importance of dual prevention using both vaccines and microbicides in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Microbicides are important because they constitute one of the potentially important female-controlled methods of HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention, especially in Malawi where the use of the female condom has not yet been fully embraced.


METHODS
A qualitative study utilising focus group discussions was used to assess the acceptability of the microbicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9) as part of the ongoing Preparatory AIDS Vaccine Evaluation (PAVE) studies.


RESULTS
The study observed that men oppose the use of N-9, and that although women consider themselves at risk for HIV they caution against the unintended consequence of altering the vaginal environment with the use of microbicides, which can interfere with the men's preference for dry sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Although N-9 did not produce the desired results, these can inform the development of other promising microbicide candidates. The study concludes that it is important to pay attention to how new microbicides are formulated rather than just concentrating solely on an individual product's effectiveness.
School of Health System and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. thomas.bisika@up.ac.za
Thomas
T
Bisika
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D017137:Nonoxynol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014933:Women's Rights; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol