title: Inconsistencies on U.S. Departments of Health Websites Regarding Anal Use of the Female Condom.
abstract: The female condom (FC) is FDA approved to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections during vaginal intercourse, but not for use during anal intercourse. Studies suggest that a sizeable proportion of men who have sex with men use the FC for anal intercourse despite lack of safety and efficacy information. We reviewed Department of Health (DOH) websites for U.S. states (n = 50) and major municipalities (population >500,000; n = 29) regarding anal use of the FC. Forty-eight (60.8 %) websites mentioned the FC, of which only 21 (45.8 %) mentioned anal use. Of those that mention anal use, 8 (38.1 %) supported, 13 (61.9 %) were neutral, and 1 (4.8 %) discouraged this use. Ten websites (47.6 %) provided instructions for anal use of the FC-ranging from removal of the inner ring, leaving the inner ring in place, and either option. In the absence of safety and efficacy data, U.S. DOH websites are providing different and often contradictory messages about the FC for anal sex.
authors.affiliation: CUNY School of Public Health, Graduate Center, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA, krodrigu@adarc.org.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ventura-DiPersia
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: LeVasseur
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kelvin
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services