Acceptability of five nonoxynol-9 spermicides

Abstract

Objective-To examine the acceptability of five nonoxynol-9 (N-9) spermicides.Methods-We analyzed data from a randomized trial of five products, including three gels containing different amounts of N-9 per dose, a film and a suppository. In the trial, 1536 participants were asked to use the assigned spermicide for 7 months and to complete questionnaires 4 weeks after admission and at discontinuation.Results-Overall, 43% of participants liked their spermicide "very much." This proportion was higher in the three gel groups than in the suppository and film groups. Difficulty with insertion, messiness and discontent with timing of insertion were common complaints in all groups. After adjustment for selected baseline factors, acceptability on the first questionnaire was not related to duration or consistency of subsequent spermicide use or to subsequent time to pregnancy.Conclusions-In this study, all five spermicides were considered acceptable by most users. Acceptability did not appear to influence spermicide use or pregnancy risk.

Acceptability of Vaginal Film, Soft-Gel Capsule, and Tablet as Potential Microbicide Delivery Methods Among African Women

“…We report that 89% of African women who used the placebo vaginal film liked using it, and 87% said they would definitely use a vaginal film for protection against HIV infection. This is similar to the percentage of American women (81% of 273), 5 South African women (75% of 20), 6 and Cameroonian women ( > 80% of 520) 7 who liked using the N-9 spermicidal film. In our study, 72% of African women found the placebo film easy to insert, 28% found it difficult to insert because it stuck to the fingers, and some women thought an applicator would be beneficial.…”

“…Leakage was reported by 55% of placebo film users in our study compared with 23% of American N-9 film users who reported leakage or messiness. 5 Almost all (97%) users of the placebo film thought that the product increased or had no effect on their own sexual pleasure compared with 86% of American N-9 film users. 5 Seven percent of women surveyed said their male sex partners disliked them using the placebo film compared with 20% of American women who reported partner dissatisfaction with the N-9 film.…”

“…5 Almost all (97%) users of the placebo film thought that the product increased or had no effect on their own sexual pleasure compared with 86% of American N-9 film users. 5 Seven percent of women surveyed said their male sex partners disliked them using the placebo film compared with 20% of American women who reported partner dissatisfaction with the N-9 film. 5 Differences in acceptability ratings between the N-9 vaginal film and the placebo vaginal film tested here could have been due in part to the different chemical compositions of the products.…”

“…The acceptability of three vaginal dosage forms, film, SGC, and tablet, was studied in sexually active, adult women in Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Zambia. The results of previous acceptability studies with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) vaginal film [5][6][7] and the Praneem polyherbal vaginal tablet (Panacea Biotech Ltd., New Delhi, India) 8,9 have shown that these dosage forms are acceptable to the majority of female study participants and their male sexual partners.…”

The role of men in women's acceptance of an intravaginal gel in a randomized clinical trial in Blantyre, Malawi: a qualitative and quantitative analysis

“…Although some studies have investigated acceptability in terms of product-related factors, such as color and consistency; delivery method; product form; application process; messiness; lubrication; potential for adverse reactions; and effects on sexual pleasure (Hammett et al, 2000;Hardy, Jimenez, de Padua, & Zaneveld, 1998;Hira et al, 1995;Mason et al, 2003;Raymond et al, 2005), little is known about inter-and intra-personal psychological aspects that affect acceptability and use (Severy, Tolley, Woodsong, & Guest, 2005;Ramjee et al, 2006). Very few studies have assessed male partner acceptance of a vaginal microbicide used during sex or investigated the link between male partner acceptance and female acceptance (Bentley et al, 2004;CarbelloDieguez et al, 2007;Mantell et al, 2005;Low-Beer et al, 2002).…”