Adolescent girls’ communication with partners about microbicide use
Mary B. Short A , Stephanie Ramos B , Jennifer K. Oakes B and Susan L. Rosenthal B CA Department of Psychology, University of Houston – Clear Lake, Houston, TX 77578, USA.
B Department of Pediatrics and Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: slrosent@utmb.edu
Sexual Health 4(4) 243-248 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH07044
Submitted: 5 October 2006 Accepted: 19 July 2007 Published: 8 November 2007
Abstract
Background: Topical microbicides could be a female-controlled method of preventing sexually transmissible infections. Despite the possibility of surreptitious use, most women report that they would tell partners, and microbicides may be detectable. The purpose of the present study was to examine communication between adolescent girls and their partners regarding microbicides. Methods: Girls (aged 14–21 years) participated in a 6-month study in which they were given vaginal moisturisers to use when they had intercourse. Data was collected about their demographics, sexual histories and conversations with mothers and partners. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results: Girls (n = 171) were asked about conversations with their partners. Talking with mothers and using the product were significantly related to talking with partners. Reasons for not talking were intrapersonal or interpersonal variables, the context of the relationship did not warrant an explanation and the lack of a decision to communicate. There seemed to be no difference in conversations for those who used or did not use. Girls had conversations with their partners when deciding to be in the study, when they were engaged in study activities or when deciding to use the product. Conversations about using the product focused on needing to use the product because of study demands, the lubricating properties or wanting to experience product use. Conclusions: Most of the girls talked to their partners and had positive conversations. Girls may need help initiating conversations and managing reluctant partners.
Additional keywords: sexuality, sexually transmissible infections, partner communication, topical microbicides.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health/Human Development of the National Institutes of Health (R01 HD40151-01, Principal Investigator: Susan L. Rosenthal). It was also supported in part by the General Clinical Research Center at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston funded by grant M01RR00073 from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institute of Health, United States Public Health Services. We thank The Teen Health Center and Galveston College for helping in the recruitment phases of this study. We also acknowledge our research team (Beth A. Auslander, Elissa Brown, Richard Rupp, Ana Ugueto and E. Alexandra Zubowicz) for their outstanding work in running of this study. Finally, we thank all the girls and boys for their participation in this research study.
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