Open AccessA Mixed-Methods Study Examining Adherence to and Acceptability of Intravaginal Rings for HIV Prevention: Behavioral Results of MTN-027
Author(s) -
José A. Bauermeister,
Jesse Golinkoff,
Alex CarballoDiéguez,
Rebecca Giguere,
Daniela López,
Craig Hoesley,
Beatrice A. Chen,
Peter L. Anderson,
Charlene S. Dezzutti,
Julie Strizki,
Carol Sprinkle,
Faye Heard,
Wayne Hall,
Cindy Jacobson,
Jennifer Berthiaume,
Ashley J. Mayo,
Barbra A. Richardson,
Jeanna Piper
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-019-02457-0
Subject(s) - interactive voice response , medicine , health psychology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , condom , anal sex , public health , family medicine , pre exposure prophylaxis , clinical psychology , gynecology , men who have sex with men , nursing , syphilis , telecommunications , computer science
Intravaginal rings (IVR) containing antiretroviral drugs are a promising method for HIV prevention. We triangulated quantitative and qualitative assessments to evaluate the acceptability of four IVRs used continuously for 28 days as part of a Phase I trial (N = 48 HIV-negative women; ages 18-45). Adherence was high throughout the trial, yet 30% of participants reported involuntary IVR expulsions followed by re-insertion. Most participants (93.6%) felt comfortable with the IVR being inside their body. Participants reported liking the IVR more (36.2%) or the same amount (55.3%) since starting the study. When given the option of choosing between the IVR and/or a male condom for HIV-prevention, most reported preferring the IVR (n = 29, 63.0%), and over a quarter of the sample reported liking them equally (n = 12, 26.1%). We observed no differences in IVR acceptability across the study arms. High adherence and acceptability underscores the promise of an IVR as a female-controlled, sustained mechanism for HIV prevention.