Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Perceptions and experiences of HIV and acceptability of vaginal microbicides in Zambia

Perceptions and experiences of HIV and acceptability of vaginal microbicides in Zambia Background/Aims:The development of vaginal microbicides for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a welcome clinical and research intervention for countries heavily burdened with HIV and AIDS. These microbicides are formulated as gels, creams, films and suppositories, and work by either providing a physical barrier that keeps HIV and other pathogens from reaching the target cells or by enhancing the natural vaginal defence mechanisms. This study examines women's and men's perceptions on STIs and acceptability of vaginal microbicides.Methods:An exploratory qualitative research study using five focus group discussions was conducted in the Kafue and Mumbwa districts in Zambia between 2009 and 2010. Five themes were identified: i) knowledge about HIV/AIDS; ii) condom use; iii) women's options and the challenges of using existing interventions; iv) use and acceptability of a placebo microbicide gel; v) partner involvement.Results:In general, participants were knowledgeable about the modes of HIV transmission and prevention. The majority of participants believed that condom use was the man's decision and current available HIV prevention techniques are often not controlled by women. Although the availability and use of microbicides would greatly empower women to protect themselves and their partner, many women have little control over their choice of contraception.Conclusions:Most social science research to date has confirmed the urgent need women feel for an HIV prevention method that they can control, particularly in countries with a severe generalised HIV epidemic. In this study, women and men expressed positive attitudes toward the use of microbicides. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health Mark Allen Group

Perceptions and experiences of HIV and acceptability of vaginal microbicides in Zambia

Download PDF
8 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/mark-allen-group/perceptions-and-experiences-of-hiv-and-acceptability-of-vaginal-My6ZZJm4CE
Publisher
Mark Allen Group
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 MA Healthcare Limited
ISSN
1759-7374
eISSN
2052-4293
DOI
10.12968/ajmw.2015.9.3.113
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background/Aims:The development of vaginal microbicides for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a welcome clinical and research intervention for countries heavily burdened with HIV and AIDS. These microbicides are formulated as gels, creams, films and suppositories, and work by either providing a physical barrier that keeps HIV and other pathogens from reaching the target cells or by enhancing the natural vaginal defence mechanisms. This study examines women's and men's perceptions on STIs and acceptability of vaginal microbicides.Methods:An exploratory qualitative research study using five focus group discussions was conducted in the Kafue and Mumbwa districts in Zambia between 2009 and 2010. Five themes were identified: i) knowledge about HIV/AIDS; ii) condom use; iii) women's options and the challenges of using existing interventions; iv) use and acceptability of a placebo microbicide gel; v) partner involvement.Results:In general, participants were knowledgeable about the modes of HIV transmission and prevention. The majority of participants believed that condom use was the man's decision and current available HIV prevention techniques are often not controlled by women. Although the availability and use of microbicides would greatly empower women to protect themselves and their partner, many women have little control over their choice of contraception.Conclusions:Most social science research to date has confirmed the urgent need women feel for an HIV prevention method that they can control, particularly in countries with a severe generalised HIV epidemic. In this study, women and men expressed positive attitudes toward the use of microbicides.

Journal

African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health – Mark Allen Group

Published: Jul 2, 2015

There are no references for this article.