RESUMO
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been a subject of discussion both among scientists and in the mass media, especially because of their association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We studied the adoption of specific protective behaviors for the prevention of STDs among women, as well as the associations between these behaviors and socioeconomic and demographic variables. This was a descriptive study based on secondary data from a previous study carried out in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 635 women were selected using the social network ("snowball") technique. Subjects were classified into four groups: adolescents and adults of upper middle and lower socioeconomic status, respectively. Condoms were the STD prevention method most frequently mentioned by interviewees. A negative association was observed between having a steady partner and condom use in all the groups. The main reason mentioned for not using condoms was "having a single partner and trusting him". Among adolescents, a positive association was observed between schooling above the 8th grade and condom use, and a negative association was observed between age and condom use. Among adults, only condom use in general was also positively associated with socioeconomic status.
Assuntos
Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Adulto , Preservativos , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
Pilot clinical trials were performed with a new vaginal suppository called "Long Acting, Sustained Release of Spermicide" ("LASRS"). No visual or colposcopic lesions or patient complaints occurred as a result of using LASRS with increasing doses of nonoxynol-9 (up to 20%) for 5 days or of applying the highest dose of nonoxynol-9 (20%; total 400 mg) for 8 h. Colposcopic or visual lesions were also not induced when LASRS with 20% nonoxynol-9 was used for 7 consecutive days by the study participants except for those who developed symptomatic monilia vaginitis. Symptoms were reported although these were mostly minor. A long-lasting, bioadhesive, translucent layer (film) of formulation formed over the vaginal and cervical surfaces. Postcoital spermicidal studies showed LASRS to be highly effective for prolonged periods of time. Although intercourse was delayed for 5 to 8.5 h after insertion of the formulation, an average of only 0. 2 motile sperm/HPF could be found in cervical mucus. These studies suggest LASRS to possess advantages over presently marketed formulations by having long-term efficacy and by forming a bioadhesive, presumably protective layer over the genital tract epithelium. The results also suggest the formulation to decrease the vaginal irritation caused by nonoxynol-9 as noted by colposcopy. These pilot data support a more extensive study with the LASRS suppository.
Assuntos
Nonoxinol , Pessários , Espermicidas/administração & dosagem , Adulto , Brasil , Muco do Colo Uterino/química , Coito , Preparações de Ação Retardada , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Humanos , Nonoxinol/administração & dosagem , Projetos PilotoRESUMO
Sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, and unplanned pregnancies continue to be a serious worldwide problem. A number of organizations are developing woman-controlled vaginal formulations to prevent these problems. However, little information is available regarding the types of products women prefer even though such knowledge is essential to obtain widespread use. This is the first of several articles that describe the results of a consumer preference study for such vaginal formulations performed in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. Because no published methodology was available, the instruments and interview techniques were developed first and procedures established for the identification and participation of research subjects. After preparation of a questionnaire, a pilot study was performed to evaluate it, to establish the interview technique, and to determine the optimal method for subject recruitment. Based on the results, the approach was selected and applied to 635 subjects from different age and socioeconomic groups. The developed methodology and questionnaire, the advantages and the problems encountered, are presented.
Assuntos
Anti-Infecciosos/administração & dosagem , Comportamento do Consumidor , Anticoncepcionais Femininos/administração & dosagem , Cremes, Espumas e Géis Vaginais , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Cor , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Projetos Piloto , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
A study was carried out to identify characteristics that women would want for an idealized vaginal contraceptive, and the possible association of these characteristics with age and socioeconomic status. The study was done in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 635 women were selected by age and socioeconomic status, using the "social network" technique. Almost half were adolescents (15-19 years old) and the rest were adults (20-45 years old). Half were of low socioeconomic status and the rest of medium-high status. The data were analyzed with SPSS-PC and EPI-INFO 6.0. Logistic regression and chi 2 were used for the analysis. Despite some differences found between age and socioeconomic status in regard to the characteristics desired for the idealized method, most of the participants expressed the same preferences. The results indicate that women would like the idealized method to be a cream, rather than a suppository, with no odor or flavor, to be colorless, to be placed in the vagina with an applicator well before coitus, and to offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS.
Assuntos
Fatores Etários , Anti-Infecciosos/administração & dosagem , Comportamento do Consumidor , Anticoncepcionais Femininos/administração & dosagem , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Cremes, Espumas e Géis Vaginais , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Cor , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Odorantes , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controleRESUMO
Novel vaginal formulations are under development to combat the increasing incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, and also unplanned pregnancies. A study was performed to determine women's preferences for different dosage forms (gel, cream, ovule/suppository, film, foam, tablet), width, length, and color of an applicator, and various types of packages. The study was conducted in Campinas, Brazil. A total of 635 women were interviewed, including both adolescents and adults and low and middle-high socioeconomic groups. The large majority of the women preferred a gel over a cream; both were preferred over the other methods. When asked which method they would not use, the film was most frequently identified, followed by the tablet and ovule. The primary reasons for selecting a particular dosage form were ease of use, absence of odor or the presence of a pleasant one, absence of color, and insertion with an applicator. The major reasons for not using a method were discomfort, "plastic" appearance, distrust of effectiveness, difficulty with insertion, messiness, and rigidity/hardness. The majority of the women liked the applicator shown. The prefilled single dose applicator was by far the preferred packaging. This information should aid in the development of consumer-friendly, vaginal formulations.
Assuntos
Anti-Infecciosos/administração & dosagem , Comportamento do Consumidor , Anticoncepcionais Femininos/administração & dosagem , Embalagem de Medicamentos , Cremes, Espumas e Géis Vaginais , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Cor , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Odorantes , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
Vaginal formulations may have "dual" protective activity, against sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy. The attributes that women find acceptable or unacceptable for such dual protective methods were investigated. More than 50% of the women would not accept messiness, but it was more accepted for dual protective methods than for contraceptives. Very few women would use a dual protective method if it caused vaginal irritation, itching, swelling, or burning, problems associated with presently marketed methods. More than half of the women would use it if it appeared on the penis of their partner or required refrigeration. Use of an applicator to insert the formulation was generally preferred over a manual method. Most women preferred the formulation to be colorless or white, about 16% liked light colors, and about 10% liked darker colors. Almost half of the women were willing to pay up to $5.00 per application of a dual protective formulation, about 15% $3.00, and 30% $1.00. Dual protective methods seem highly acceptable and women would pay much more for them than for condoms. However, these methods should be free of problems usually associated with presently marketed formulations.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/prevenção & controle , Anti-Infecciosos/administração & dosagem , Comportamento do Consumidor , Anticoncepcionais Femininos/administração & dosagem , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Cremes, Espumas e Géis Vaginais , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Cor , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Odorantes , Gravidez , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test was applied to 1,890 ejaculates obtained from previously fertile men who subsequently underwent a vasectomy. Less than 3% of the ejaculates produced an abnormal HOS test (less than 50% swelling), and more than 95% were normal (greater than or equal to 60% swelling). The sperm concentration and motility data were similar to those obtained by other investigators with prevasectomy ejaculates. Statistically significant but low correlation coefficients were present between the HOS test and these other sperm variables. On the assumption that the large majority of these men were fertile when the ejaculates were produced, the results support the contention that fertility is usually associated with normal or, occasionally, equivocal values in the HOS test.