We designed a study to explore men's attitudes regarding vaginal product use:
- What are men willing to do to protect themselves from HIV/STDs?
- What are men willing to do to protect their female partners from HIV/STDs?
- What characteristics of vaginal products do men find to be most appealing for use?
- What characteristics would lead men to refuse to let their partners use such products?
- Are there different situations (e.g. main partners VS. casual partners) In which different product characteristics would be desirable?
We plan to use the findings on men's specific vaginal formulation preferences, together with data from our women's formulation preference study, to inform the design of a new infra-vaginal microbicidal product. Basing a new product on actual preferences will Increase
Recruitment of Study Participants
In November and December of 1996, taxi drivers and campesinos (subsistence farmers or rural laborers) were recruited to participate in focus group discussions and interviews. The men ranged in age from 19 to 60. They were all of Mexican origin and were self-described Catholics.
Taxi drivers
- 21 taxi drivers were recruited from Distrito Federal, Mexico.
- Taxi drivers were recruited through calls to dispatch offices.
- 43% of taxi drivers had completed secondary school; 28% had finished high school.
- All taxi drivers were easily in reach of health services.
- Most taxi drivers were married.
Farmers
- 18 farmers were recruited from an area near the capital, south of Toluca.
- Farmers were recruited personally by the leader of a rural organization in Mexico state.
- Half of the farmers were illiterate; the highest level of education reached by a farmer was primary.
- None of the farmers had access to health services in their home communities.
- All farmers were married (except one 18-year-old, who was engaged).
Focus Groups
Examples of the questions posed to men by the moderator:
Basic questions about background/relationships
- How would you describe the ideal partner?
- In a typical relationship, is it hard for men to talk about sexual health issues, such as infection and contraception?
Questions about basic knowledge of AIDS and risk of infection
- Are you familiar with the disease AIDS? What sorts of things have you heard about the disease?
- What are the main ways men can get AIDS? Is it easy for men to talk to their partners about AIDS?
- Do you think that you could ever get infected with a disease such as AIDS? Why or why not?
- How would you get this infection? Do you suspect that you can get this infection from your partner?
- Do you think it's possible to tell who's infected?
Infection prevention
- Are you aware of anything men can do to protect themselves from AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections?
- Do you think it is possible for a woman to get men to use condoms all the time?
- What about other things that women can do to protect themselves?
Contraception and condom use
- With whom do you think men are most likely to use condoms?
- What do you think they use them for?
- Are there different reasons for using condoms with different partners?
Vaginal products and microbicides
- Can anyone give examples of vaginal products that they've heard of?
- What do you think are some reasons why women use vaginal products?
- Do you think men are generally aware when women are using such products?
- Do men encourage or object to their use?
Promotion of and access to vaginal microbicides
- If we could be sure that it was safe and effective, do you think women would use such a product?
- Do you think that a man would mind if his partner were to use a microbicide?
- Would his partner need his permission?
- If a new vaginal product existed that could prevent infection, and possibly pregnancy as well, where do you think it should be available or sold?
- Would you recommend that it be promoted to women or to men?
- How would you promote such a product to get men to want to use it?
