title: The female condom: a promising but unavailable method for Dominican sex workers, their clients, and their partners.
abstract: Despite evidence of the potential of the female condom as a method that effectively protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and pregnancy, it is still not widely available. We conducted in-depth interviews with 18 sex workers, 15 male clients, and seven partners in the Dominican Republic to assess the acceptability of the female condom. The majority of the sex workers found the female condom acceptable and welcomed the option of a female-controlled method. Clients and partners of the sex workers were also positive about the female condom and, particularly with regard to pleasure; almost all preferred it to the male condom. These findings suggest that the female condom offers an acceptable option for protection against HIV, STIs, and pregnancy. The positive attitudes of women and men could be developed into messages in marketing campaigns for the female condom, targeting not only vulnerable groups but also the general population.
authors: Marieke G
authors: MG
authors: van Dijk
authors: Diana Lara
authors: DL
authors: Pineda
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Grossman
authors: Annik
authors: A
authors: Sorhaindo
authors: Sandra G
authors: SG
authors: García
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004293:Dominican Republic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D021841:Safe Sex; D011477:Sex Work; D060386:Sex Workers; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dominican Republic; HIV; clients; female condom; sex workers; sexually transmitted infections