title: An assessment of the likely acceptability of vaginal microbicides for HIV prevention among women in rural Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The findings of the CAPRISA tenofovir studies have raised expectations that soon an approved microbicide would be available. However it is in only a limited number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa that the acceptability of microbicides has been evaluated. We conducted a study to assess the acceptability of vaginal microbicides among women in rural Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study employs a mixed method design, using cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions to further understand issues related to awareness and attitudes towards microbicide development, acceptability and perceived partner attitudes among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in two health facilities in the Kintampo North municipality of Ghana. We used logistic regression to identify possible predictors of microbicide acceptability among the women surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although only 2% of the 504 women were aware of the development of microbicides, 95% were willing to use one when it became available. The cost of a microbicide that will be considered affordable to 50% of women was US$0.75. Although there were concerns about possible wetting effect, gel or creams were the most preferred (68% of women) formulation. Although 71% thought their partners will find microbicide acceptable, apprehensions about the feasibility of and consequences of failed discreet use were evident. 49% of women were concerned about possible negative effect of microbicide on sexual pleasure. Perceived partner acceptability (O.R. =17.7; 95%C.I. 5.03-62.5) and possibility of discreet use (O.R. =8.9 95%C.I. 2.63-30.13) were the important predictors of microbicide acceptability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Achieving microbicide acceptability among male partners should be made a part of the promotive interventions for ensuring effective use among women in rural Ghana.
authors.affiliation: Kintampo Health Research Centre, P. O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. molmart2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abdulai
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baiden
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adjei
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afari-Asiedu
authors.forename: Kwame
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adjei
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tawiah
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies