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The female condom. A pilot study of the acceptability of a new female barrier method.

The best available prevention against sexually transmitted diseases is limited to a consistent and correct use of a condom by the male. A new barrier method has been developed for the female. As it can be inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse starts, and as it covers the entrance of the vagina, the opening of the urethra and the root of the penis, it is presumed to give a high degree of protection against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. The preliminary results concerning acceptability are promising, and further investigations concerning acceptability and efficacy are in progress or completed in several countries. The method should be regarded as one aspect in the pattern of protection, particularly suitable for females with sexual risk behavior.

Adult↗

Choice of female-controlled barrier methods among young women and their male sexual partners.

CONTEXT: Little is known about the factors associated with the choice of female-controlled, over-the-counter barrier contraceptive methods among women and their male sexual partners. METHODS: Predictors of method choice were assessed following an educational presentation on contraceptive use and risk reduction among 510 sexually active females aged 15-30 who were recruited in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, the primary partners of 160 of these women participated in the survey RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of women who enrolled in the study alone, 25% of those who enrolled with their main partner and 18% of these male partners chose female-controlled, over-the-counter barrier methods alone. The strongest predictor of this choice was current use of a hormonal contraceptive both for women who participated in the study on their own (odds ratio, 2.1) and for those who enrolled their partner in the study (odds ratio, 6.3). Female-controlled methods were also chosen significantly more often by teenagers than by older women; for example, among those who enrolled with a male partner, the odds ratio for selection of a female-controlled barrier method by women younger than 18 was 6.0. Among women who enrolled without a partner, those who had had multiple partners in the previous six months and those who were current users of male condoms were less likely to choose female-controlled methods (odds ratios, 0.7 and 0.5, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of participants did not choose female-controlled, over-the-counter barrier methods without also choosing male condoms, such female-controlled methods appear to offer an acceptable alternative for prevention of sexually transmitted infections. They may be a particularly attractive option for individuals using hormonal contraceptives and for teenage women.

Adolescent↗

A transitional model of barrier methods compliance with unbalanced loss to follow-up.

Differential loss to follow-up can substantially influence the evaluation of treatment effects on a dichotomous outcome of interest in longitudinal trials. The use of transitional models incorporating loss to follow-up as an additional category of response and the nature of the correlated responses can provide a comprehensive view of a trial with unbalanced loss to follow-up. Under the Markov assumption, transitional models estimate the probability of changing from one outcome to another outcome between follow-up visits. Patterns of the response variable can be described by the estimated transition probabilities. The effects of intervention and covariates on the outcome of interest can also be estimated using a conditional likelihood function or a multinomial logit regression. Data from a randomized barrier method study designed to compare the proportion of participants using barrier methods consistently in two counselling groups are used to illustrate the proposed model.

Adolescent↗

Barrier methods of contraception, spermicides, and sexually transmitted diseases: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To understand whether barrier methods of contraception (BMC) and/or spermicides lower the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted disease (STD) and to quantify the protection. DESIGN: Review of published experimental studies, in vitro and in vivo evidence on the issue. SUBJECTS: We reviewed 22 papers that examined the impermeability of BMC in vitro against STD agents or the effect of spermicides, and 60 papers reporting results of epidemiological studies on the risk of STD in users of BMC. RESULTS: There was in vitro evidence that both BMC and spermicides were effective against most sexually transmissible agents. Doubts remain on the effectiveness of BMC and spermicides in normal conditions of use, particularly against human papilloma virus. Natural membrane condoms are not impermeable and pores are seen by electron microscopy. Epidemiological studies show a consistent reduction in the risk for use of condoms against gonococcal (most studies giving relative risk, RR, estimates around 0.4 to 0.6) and HIV infection (RRs between 0.3 and 0.6 in most studies). Spermicides protect women against gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis; their role against other STDs is less clear and there is some indication of an irritative effect on the vaginal mucosa that is likely to be dose-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: A large amount of evidence indicates that BMC reduce the risk of gonorrhoea and HIV transmission, but the results are--at least in quantitative terms--less consistent for other diseases. Implications for individual choices and public health approaches should relate to frequency of exposure and severity of the disease too.

Cohort Studies↗

Barriers to condom use and barrier method preferences among low-income African-American women.

Low-income African-American women (N = 178) entering health clinics completed surveys assessing perceived barriers to condom use for themselves personally and for African-American women generally. Following the survey, each woman received a demonstration of five barrier contraceptive methods and then rated her preference among those methods. The women perceived relatively few personal barriers to use of the male condom but perceived significantly greater barriers for other African-American women (all p < .0001). The male condom was first choice of the largest percentage of women (45%) and last choice of the smallest percentage of women (11%). The male condom was preferred for its convenience, availability, and safety, although the necessity for active cooperation by the male partner was considered a hindrance to using the method. Only 23% of women ranked the female condom as first choice and 35% ranked the female condom as last choice. Reasons for selecting the female condom included preference for a female-controlled method, safety, and protection. However, the female condom was perceived to be uncomfortable, to require the partner's acquiescence, and to interfere with sexual experience. Differences in the women's perceptions of barriers to condom use for themselves and for other African-American women are consistent with Weinstein's theory of optimistic bias. Preferences among barrier methods indicate that further research and product development are needed to develop barrier methods that are female-controlled, do not require the awareness of the male partner, and are safe, comfortable, and convenient.

Adolescent↗

Barrier method preferences and perceptions among Zimbabwean women and their partners.

In Zimbabwe, adult HIV prevalence is over 25% and acceptable prevention methods are urgently needed. Sixty-eight Zimbabwean women who had completed a barrier-methods study and 34 of their male partners participated in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to qualitatively explore acceptability of male condoms, female condoms and diaphragms. Most men and about half of women preferred diaphragms because they are female-controlled and do not detract from sexual pleasure or carry stigma. Unknown efficacy and reuse were concerns and some women reported feeling unclean when leaving the diaphragm in for six hours following sex. Nearly half of women and some men preferred male condoms because they are effective and limit women's exposure to semen, although they reportedly detract from sexual pleasure and carry social stigma. Female condoms were least preferred because of obviousness and partial coverage of outer-genitalia that interfered with sexual pleasure.

Adolescent↗

Experimental study evaluating the effect of a barrier method on postoperative intraabdominal adhesions.

The purpose of this animal study was to determine if tissue glue-coated collagen sponge is an effective barrier method to prevent localized adhesions in a modified rabbit sidewall model. Rabbits were divided into two groups and underwent laparotomy with subsequent creation of a cecal wound according to the rabbit sidewall model. Rabbits of group I (treatment group; n = 10) were treated with a TachoComb H patch placed on the defect, whereas group II animals (control group; n = 6) did not receive further treatment. All animals were sacrificed 2 weeks postoperatively and adhesions were evaluated using special adhesion score. A further six rabbits underwent TachoComb H application at the cecum to investigate the histological changes during a course of 12 weeks. The average adhesion scores were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls. Histologically the TachoComb H patch was surrounded by granulation tissue without signs of infection. Tissue glue-coated collagen sponge (TachoComb H) is effective to prevent localized intraabdominal adhesions in the modified rabbit sidewall model.

Abdominal Wall↗

The relationship of tubal infertility to barrier method and oral contraceptive use.

We studied past contraceptive use in 283 nulliparous infertile women who had a diagnosis of tubal adhesions or occlusion and in 3833 women admitted for delivery at seven collaborating hospitals from 1981 to 1983. The relative risk of tubal infertility associated with barrier contraceptive use or oral contraceptive use was calculated using multivariate logistic regression to control for confounding by region, age, religion, education, smoking, number of sexual partners, time since menarche, and use of other contraceptive methods. Women who had ever used barrier methods of contraception were at a significantly decreased risk of tubal infertility (relative risk = 0.6; 95% confidence limits, 0.5 and 0.8). When type of barrier method used for the longest time was evaluated, those who used the diaphragm or condoms plus spermicides were at lower risk than those who used condoms or spermicides alone. Overall, past use of oral contraceptives neither increased nor decreased a woman's risk of tubal infertility, but there was evidence that the association between oral contraceptives and tubal infertility may vary by the amount of estrogen and type of progestogen in the oral contraceptive used. We conclude that contraceptive users who use barrier methods that combine both a mechanical and chemical barrier, such as diaphragms, cervical caps, and condoms plus spermicides, have the clearest protection against tubal damage.

Adult↗

Barrier methods in the operating room: surgical habits die hard.

Transmission of viral infection, such as human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B and C, is a concern for both surgeon and patient. Published guidelines advise the regular use of barrier preventive measures in order to minimise the occupational exposure of surgeons. A telephone survey was conducted of 92 orthopaedic, cardiothoracic and general surgeons in the South West Region of England, regarding their use of barrier methods. This survey shows that only a minority of surgeons regularly use protective measures, although they are readily available.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

The effectiveness of barrier methods of contraception with and without spermicide.

This paper reviews trials of the effectiveness of barrier contraception with and without spermicide, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using spermicides with barriers. There is very little evidence to allow comparison of the effectiveness of barriers with and without spermicide. Little or no evidence could be found to support many of the instructions given to users of barrier contraception. The lack of scientific data on this subject has prompted us to recommend research in specific areas. Until the findings of such research are available, the information which has emerged from this review suggests that the recommendations issued to users of barrier contraception should be brought up-to-date.

Contraceptive Devices, Female↗

Barrier methods.

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Condoms↗