TY - JOUR
T1 - Acceptability of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV-1 prevention among women reporting engagement in transactional sex
AU - on behalf of the MTN-020/ASPIRE Study Team
AU - Browne, Erica N.
AU - Torjesen, Kristine
AU - Mirembe, Brenda Gati
AU - Palanee-Phillips, Thesla
AU - Jeenarain, Nitesha
AU - Chitukuta, Miria
AU - Stoner, Marie C.D.
AU - Mansoor, Leila E.
AU - Reddy, Krishnaveni
AU - Tauya, Thelma T.
AU - Naidoo, Logashvari
AU - Siva, Samantha
AU - Richardson, Barbra
AU - Dadabhai, Sufia
AU - Seyama, Linly
AU - Soto-Torres, Lydia
AU - van der Straten, Ariane
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - We assessed if acceptability of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV prevention differed among the subgroup of women who reported engaging in transactional sex prior to enrollment in MTN-020/ASPIRE (phase III trial in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, 2012-2015; n = 2629). Transactional sex was defined as receipt of money, goods, gifts, drugs, or shelter in exchange for sex in the past year. Dimensions of acceptability included: ease of use and physical sensation in situ, impacts on sex, partner’s opinion, and likelihood of future use. We used Poisson regression models with robust standard errors to compare risk of acceptability challenges by baseline history of transactional sex. At product discontinuation, women exchanging sex found the ring comfortable (90%), easy to insert (92%) and nearly all (96%) were likely to use the ring in the future. Women who had exchanged sex were more likely to report feeling the ring during sex (ARR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.89; p = 0.01) and slightly more likely to mind wearing the ring during menses (ARR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01, 1,46; p = 0.04) and during sex (ARR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.45; p = 0.03). Messaging and counseling should include enhanced support for use during sex and menses to support optimal use.
AB - We assessed if acceptability of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV prevention differed among the subgroup of women who reported engaging in transactional sex prior to enrollment in MTN-020/ASPIRE (phase III trial in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, 2012-2015; n = 2629). Transactional sex was defined as receipt of money, goods, gifts, drugs, or shelter in exchange for sex in the past year. Dimensions of acceptability included: ease of use and physical sensation in situ, impacts on sex, partner’s opinion, and likelihood of future use. We used Poisson regression models with robust standard errors to compare risk of acceptability challenges by baseline history of transactional sex. At product discontinuation, women exchanging sex found the ring comfortable (90%), easy to insert (92%) and nearly all (96%) were likely to use the ring in the future. Women who had exchanged sex were more likely to report feeling the ring during sex (ARR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.89; p = 0.01) and slightly more likely to mind wearing the ring during menses (ARR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01, 1,46; p = 0.04) and during sex (ARR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.45; p = 0.03). Messaging and counseling should include enhanced support for use during sex and menses to support optimal use.
KW - HIV prevention
KW - acceptability
KW - sub-saharan Africa
KW - transactional sex
KW - vaginal ring
KW - women
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U2 - 10.1080/09540121.2023.2198187
DO - 10.1080/09540121.2023.2198187
M3 - Article
C2 - 37066990
AN - SCOPUS:85153723484
SN - 0954-0121
VL - 36
SP - 80
EP - 86
JO - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
JF - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
IS - 1
ER -