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Abstract BACKGROUND: Female sex workers are clearly at particularly high risk of acquiring both bacterial and viral STIs. Researchers have investigated methods to prevent STIs that are female-controlled and perhaps could be used either without the male partner's knowledge or with passive acquiescence. Use of these methods in groups at high risk of STIs could be a useful tool to prevent STI transmission. OBJECTIVES: To assess the acceptability of two female-controlled barrier methods (female condoms and diaphragms) in a population of sex workers in Dominican Republic. METHODS: We will enroll a sample of 250 sex workers in two cities of the Dominican Republic (Santiago and Puerto Plata) that will be followed for a period of five months. At the enrollment visit, participants will receive the study products (female and male condoms and a diaphragm) along with proper counseling about the use of these methods. During the four monthly follow-up visits, we will collect information about the participant's use of the barrier methods and any problems she may have had with its use. In these visits participants will also receive counseling as well as assessments of chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhea (NG) infections using urine PCR testing. PRELIMINARY RESULTS: We have enrolled at this time 78 women, 41 in Santiago and 37 in Puerto Plata. Among 131 women who have been screened for the study, 3.8 percent have NG and 8.4 percent have CT. Few women reported problems inserting and removing the diaphragm. Women are more frequently using female condoms in sexual intercourses than the diaphragm. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Poster Session 3276.0: Working with Special Populations This page updated |
