Authors: MiSuk Kang Jessica Buck Nancy Padian Sam F Posner Gertrude KhumaloSakutukwa Ariane van der Straten
Publish Date: 2006/12/08
Volume: 11, Issue: 3, Pages: 443-451
Abstract
We conducted a 6month acceptability study of diaphragms as a potential HIV/STI prevention method among Zimbabwean women We examined partner involvement in diaphragm use and importance of discreet use use without partner awareness Of the 181 women who completed the study 45 said discreet use was “very or extremely important” and in multivariate logistic regression women were more likely to value discretion if their partners had other partners drank alcohol or were believed to prefer condoms to diaphragms Qualitative data confirmed these findings Both women and their partners reported that diaphragms can be used discreetly and saw this as advantageous for both sexual pleasure and female control However many were concerned that use without partner approval could lead to marital problems Discreet use should be considered in development of barrier methods and in diaphragm promotion if proven effective against HIV/STIThis study was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC and Contraceptive Research and Development CONRAD Program contract CSA99269 We would like to gratefully acknowledge the participants without whom this study would not have been possible
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