title: Hypothetical Rectal Microbicide Acceptability and Factors Influencing It among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Tianjin, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure potential acceptability of rectal microbicides and to explore factors likely to affect their acceptability among men who have sex with men (MSM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional and retrospective surveys were conducted in this study. A questionnaire and a scale were used to measure the acceptability score for physical and functional characteristics of hypothetical rectal microbicides. We also evaluated the involvement of other factors such as sexual behaviors, social context, etc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MSMs we interviewed showed a high acceptability to rectal microbicides, indicated by the mean acceptability score of 2.92 (SD, 0.54, scale of 1-4). The results also suggested that microbicides were preferred in a cream form that can moisten and lubricate the rectum, prevent HIV infection and go unnoticed by their partners. Multivariate analysis showed that the microbicides acceptability varied significantly by education level (β = 0.135; P = 0.028), having casual partners (β = 0.174; P = 0.007), frequency of lubricant use (β = 0.134; P = 0.031), history of HIV test (β = 0.129; P = 0.036), willingness to use lubricant (β = 0.126; P = 0.045), locus of control by partners regarding STI infection (β = 0.168; P = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A positive response to rectal microbicides among MSMs was found in our study, suggesting that rectal microbicides might have a potential market in MSMs and they might play an important role in HIV/STIs prevention as a supplement. Further studies may be considered to combine the acceptability study with clinical research together to understand the true feelings of MSMs when they use the products.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Guohong
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6566-3057
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Huifang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Hongxuyang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Shenlan MSM Community Organization, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Shenlan MSM Community Organization, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Public Security Hospital, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Mianzhi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Minying
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local