title: To Use a Rectal Microbicide, First Insert the Applicator: Gel and Applicator Satisfaction Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men.
abstract: We examined how experiences with a rectal placebo gel and applicator used with receptive anal intercourse (RAI) related to young men who have sex with men's (YMSM) likelihood of using a rectal microbicide gel and applicator in the future. An ethnically diverse sample of 95 YMSM (aged 18 to 30 years) were asked to insert hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) placebo gel rectally before RAI during 12 weeks and report the product's acceptability (i.e., satisfaction with applicator and gel, respectively; perceived gel side effects; and sexual satisfaction when gel was used) and likelihood of future microbicide use. Main and interaction effects predicting future use intentions were tested using linear regression. We found a positive association between future use intentions and applicator satisfaction (b = .33, p < .001). In a subsequent interaction effects model, we found that greater gel satisfaction was associated with increased future use intentions; however, the strength of this relationship was magnified when YMSM reported greatest satisfaction with the rectal applicator. Applicator satisfaction may be a salient factor in YMSM's decision-making to use a rectal microbicide in the future. Although the importance of developing a satisfactory rectal microbicide gel for YMSM is undeniable for its future use, our results also emphasize the importance of developing strategies that increase YMSM's comfort and skill when using a rectal applicator. Future research examining how to optimize the design, properties, and characteristics of a rectal applicator as a strategy to promote greater satisfaction and use among YMSM is merited.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Public Health, Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities (SexLab), Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauermeister
authors.affiliation: Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giguere
authors.affiliation: Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dolezal
authors.affiliation: Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Leu
authors.affiliation: University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Department of Pediatrics, Gama Project, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Febo
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Cranston
authors.affiliation: Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carballo-Diéguez
mesh_terms: D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005006:Ethnicity; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005782:Gels
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