Acceptability Study of Vaginal Films for HIV Prevention

The lives of 25 million people have ended due to HIV-related causes since the start of the AIDS epidemic in 1981 (1). Each year, AIDS continues to claim the lives of millions of people, with an estimated two million deaths worldwide in 2008 (2). Heterosexual transmission of HIV accounts for the majority of new infections and disproportionately affects women both in the United States and globally (2, 3). There is an urgent need for agents to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV, particularly agents that may be controlled by women.

Quick dissolve films such as Listerene® Breath Strips have been developed for inexpensive delivery of drugs and vitamins. As products for HIV prevention, quick dissolve films offer a host of potential advantages including low cost, control by the receptive partner, discreet and applicator-free use, low mess, portability, easy storage, stability, targeting to site of exposure, reduction of systemic toxicity by bypassing first-pass metabolism, and the incorporation of multiple active microbicidal compounds (4, 5).

In the course of developing agents for HIV prevention, determination of valued characteristics is important for product refinement and for enhancement of future use likelihood. Knowledge regarding acceptability can also inform product promotion and educational campaigns (6).

Inclusion criteria

• Female 18-30 years old at time of enrollment
• Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Not sexually active, defined as no vaginal sex at any time in the past year
• Pregnant by self-report