International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 19, Number 2 > Pp. 115-117

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLES

Adolescents' reasons for using a microbicide-like product over time

Mary B Short PhD ^* , Paul A Succop PhD , Richard Rupp MD  and Susan L Rosenthal PhD  

^* Department of Psychology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX; Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Department of Pediatrics and Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

Correspondence to: Susan L Rosenthal, Department of Pediatrics and Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0319, USA Email: slrosent{at}utmb.edu

This study examined the reasons that adolescent girls used a product over time. Adolescent girls (n = 208; 14–21 years) participated in a six-month study in which they completed three face-to-face interviews and 24-weekly phone call interviews. Participants were given microbicide-like products (vaginal lubricants) and encouraged to use them with condoms when they had intercourse. Most of the reasons for use were endorsed by most of the adolescent girls, at some time during the study. Over time, the adolescents were significantly more likely to report the following reasons for use: did not think the product would leak out (z = 2.49; P < 0.01), the product felt comfortable (z = 2.41; P < 0.02) and the product was not messy to use (z = 3.11; P < 0.01). Although it appears that adolescents are interested in microbicides, they may worry about certain characteristics of the product. It will be important to develop anticipatory guidance that focuses on the experience of using the product, making sure adolescent girls continue to use over time.

Key Words: adolescents • topical microbicides • acceptability • sexuality • sexually transmitted infections

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