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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
S. Marie Harvey, DrPH, Research Program on Women's Health, Center for the Study of Women in Society, University of Oregon, 1201 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1201, 541-346-4120, mharvey@oregon.uoregon.edu, Sheryl Thorburn Bird, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, Oregon State University, 264 Waldo Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-6406, Julie E. Maher, PhD, MS, Kaiser Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Kaiser Center Drive, Portland, OR 97227, and Linda J Beckman, PhD, Clinical Ph.D. Program, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, 1000 S. Freemont Avenue, Unit 5, Alhambra, CA 91803.
Multiple HIV/STD prevention methods are needed so that women have options that fit with their personal preferences, life circumstances, and sociocultural contexts. Of particular importance are female-controlled methods that can be used without the male partner’s knowledge and cooperation. Research on the vaginal diaphragm suggests that it is effective in preventing some STDs, could potentially prevent HIV, and has advantages over other female-controlled methods. In this presentation, we will compare current and former diaphragm users with respect to their background characteristics, their perceptions of the importance of method characteristics, and their perceptions of the diaphragm’s characteristics. This study is part of a larger project that examines the acceptability of the diaphragm for HIV/STD prevention. Telephone interviews are being conducted with approximately 550 current or former diaphragm users and 400 women who use other contraceptive methods. Analysis of preliminary data from 139 current diaphragm users and 152 former diaphragm users indicates that significant differences between former and current diaphragm users exist. For example, former diaphragm users more highly rated the importance of a birth control method being easy to use, not messy, and a method that their partner likes than current users. In contrast, current diaphragm users more strongly agreed that the diaphragm is easy to use, is not messy to use, is a method that they can control, can be used without their partner knowing, and is a method their partner likes. Results from analyses with the complete sample will be presented, and the implications of findings will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, STD Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.