title: Acceptability of vaginal film, soft-gel capsule, and tablet as potential microbicide delivery methods among African women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vaginal microbicides are in development for the prevention of HIV transmission to women via sexual intercourse. Acceptability of the microbicide delivery method in the targeted population is important to product adherence and, therefore, product effectiveness. It is anticipated that multiple delivery methods will be required to satisfy personal preferences among future microbicide users.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 526 sexually active women aged 18-30 years participated in a consumer product preference study in Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Zambia. Screened women who had given consent were instructed to use each of the three products (placebo formulations of a vaginal tablet, film, and soft-gel capsule) once daily for 7 consecutive days for a total of 21 days. Women were interviewed about their impressions of the product at the completion of each 7-day trial period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 80% of women reported they liked using each dosage form, and over 85% said they would definitely use it. The film and soft-gel capsule were chosen significantly more often than the tablet as the preferred dosage form (39% and 37% vs. 25%, respectively) mainly because of faster dissolving time and easier insertion. Women in Burkina Faso and Tanzania preferred the soft-gel capsule (42%-46%), whereas Zambian women preferred the film (51%). Age, socioeconomic status, and marital status did not significantly affect product preference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All three dosage forms were acceptable to the women surveyed. Preferred dosage forms varied by country. These data suggest that the availability of microbicides in multiple dosage forms may increase acceptability, adherence, and, therefore, effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: International Partnership for Microbicides, 8401 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA. anel@ipmglobal.org.za
authors.forename: Annalene M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nel
authors.forename: Lynne B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mitchnick
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Risha
authors.forename: Lungwani Tyson Makoye
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Muungo
authors.forename: Pamela M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Norick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards; D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D004304:Dosage Forms / Q000592:standards*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D012736:Sex Education; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004304:Dosage Forms; D010919:Placebos