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Abstract #149723

Amanda Tanner, MPH¹, Greg Zimet, PhD², J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS², and Michael Reece, PhD³. (1) Dept of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, 1025 E. 7th St., HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, 8128560352, aetanner@indiana.edu, (2) Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 575 N. West Drive, Room 070, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (3) Dept of Applied Health Science, Indiana University-Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th St, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405

Background: Vaginal microbicides are woman-controlled methods of sexually transmitted infection [STI] prevention. High STI rates make young women an important focus for microbicide research. However, little remains known about the factors that may influence young women's perceptions and use of microbicides. Methodology: In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 young women (18-23 years old; 85% African American; 47.5% mothers) following use of a microbicide surrogate [vaginal moisturizer (VM)] during coital events over 30 days. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed using Atlas ti 5.0. Content analysis identified salient themes related to VM use and non-use. Results: Two main factors emerged from the data. The first factor, Personal Characteristics, included individual issues influencing VM use, for instance VM assessment with the majority of the women (n = 32, 80%) evaluating the VM as neutral or positive. The second factor, Ecological Variables, included issues related to important others, for example sexual partners. Partner perceptions and relationship quality impacted women's use of the moisturizer. Almost half (n = 13, 43.3%) of male partners' evaluated the VM positively which increased VM use. Covert VM use was more common in casual than established relationships. Conclusions: The data suggest that young women's use of vaginal microbicides will be influenced by both internal and contextual factors; therefore they may not fulfill the need for woman-controlled STI prevention method. The complex power and gender structures often exhibited in young women's relationships will need to be considered as public health professionals develop microbicide marketing and education campaigns.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify the internal and contexual factors associated with VM use among young women.
• Articulate some of the issues surrounding the promotion of microbicides as a woman-controlled STI prevention method.
• Discuss the implications of microbicide availability on the sexual and reproductive health of young women.

Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.