Preparing for sperm‐targeted contraception: College students’ perceptions and intentions related to non‐hormonal intravas injectable gel

Abstract

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate college students’ perceptions and behavioral intentions related to a new long‐acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) for people with penises: non‐hormonal intravas injectable gel (NH‐IVIG). Design and Sample Data collection utilized predictive constructs from the theory of planned behavior. An online questionnaire surveyed undergraduates (ages 18–24 years) at a Midwestern, liberal arts college (N = 460). Results Of potential NH‐IVIG users, 28.6% of males and 51.4% of females reported being overall likely to use or encourage its usage. The top three hypothetical NH‐IVIG promoters were low cost, reversibility, and infrequent administration. High cost, new product uncertainties, plus administration via injection for the males, were the most frequently cited NH‐IVIG deterrents. A majority of potential users indicated intentions to use protective barriers or other contraceptives simultaneously with NH‐IVIG; females were more likely overall. Most respondents (males, 90.4%; females, 98.5%) agreed all sexual partners should be equally responsible for contraception. Over half trusted both males and females to use contraception, but females were significantly more trusted and trusting. Conclusion Understanding factors influencing NH‐IVIG usage can direct initiatives for sperm‐targeted LARCs to mitigate risk behaviors and optimize public health promotion.

Willingness to use novel reversible methods of male birth control: a community-based survey of cisgender men in the United States

“…Three recent U.S.-based studies have examined men’s willingness to use MBC, all among young men. In two surveys of male undergraduate students, 35% reported high willingness to try male hormonal contraception [ 6 ] and only 29% were likely to use vas occlusion, specifically [ 5 ]. In a combined sample of students and clinic attendees aged 18–35, 45% of men were willing to use MBC [ 7 ].…”

“…High cost was another potential barrier cited by the majority of our participants. Some prior studies have found cost to be a salient consideration among potential MBC users [ 5 , 22 ] while others [ 7 ] have not. Future work may identify the thresholds at which men consider MBC to be affordable versus cost-prohibitive.…”

“…Two large global surveys of men’s willingness to use MBC were fielded ≥ 20 years ago [ 3 , 4 ]. More recent evidence from the past 10 years relies on samples of students [ 5 – 7 ] and/or men recruited from clinical settings [ 7 , 8 ]. These limitations extend to studies examining other aspects of MBC attitudes in the general population such as preferred routes, anticipated barriers and facilitators, and characteristics of people who are likely or unlikely to try MBC.…”

An Ultrasound-Induced Self-Clearance Hydrogel for Male Reversible Contraception

“…inhibition of sperm under guidance (RISUG)", which have reached clinical trials in men. 21,22 The principle of the RISUG strategy is to physically block the vas deferens using a hydrogel and prevent sperm from passing through, which shows a 97.3% contraceptive rate. 23 Unsatisfactorily, the RISUG hydrogel can only be removed by in situ injection of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is a highly toxic organic solvent that can cause some side effects in the human body.…”

“…In recent years, hydrogel materials have been applied in a reversible male contraceptive method, called “reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance (RISUG)”, which have reached clinical trials in men. , The principle of the RISUG strategy is to physically block the vas deferens using a hydrogel and prevent sperm from passing through, which shows a 97.3% contraceptive rate . Unsatisfactorily, the RISUG hydrogel can only be removed by in situ injection of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is a highly toxic organic solvent that can cause some side effects in the human body. , In addition, a cocktail-inspired male contraceptive material that can be reversed by near-infrared light was proposed by Bao et al ., wherein four layers of reagents were injected sequentially into the vas deferens.…”