Consumer preference study of the female condom in a sexually active population at risk of contracting AIDS.

To determine the acceptability of the female condom among commercial sex workers in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Twenty sex workers from a massage parlor and 21 from a brothel were trained in the use of the female condom. The voluntary participants were instructed about the risk of HIV and advised that they could use the female condom as an alternative method to the male condom for protection. The female condom was used in 28.4 per cent and 17.8 per cent episodes of sex in each site during the two weeks. Continuation of use of the female condom increased from 0 per cent in the first group to 43 per cent in the second group. The reasons for discontinuing its use were that it was inconvenient and because of their partners' objection. More users said they liked the female condom even though more thought it was difficult to insert and it did cause pain. However, they would recommend it to others and most felt that other women would want to try it. The participants also saw the advantage of the female condom as a back-up method in case of clients' refusal to use the male condom but all prefered the male condom if there was a choice.

AIDS prevention strategies for rural families in northeastern Thailand.

The project AIDS Prevention Strategies for Rural Families in Northeastern Thailand aimed to find effective strategies for AIDS education for rural families to promote non-risk behavior, non-discrimination while supporting care for individuals with HIV/AIDS in their families and in the community; to provide opportunities for family members, community leaders and HIV/AIDS organizations to cooperate, exchange ideas, and to participate in campaigns at the community level; and, to find appropriate media to improve the knowledge, understanding and awareness of HIV/AIDS among rural families. Data was collected through interviews by questionnaires, group discussions and in-depth interviews in two districts in the target province. A comparison of pre- and post test data analyzing knowledge of HIV transmission, AIDS prevention and treatment, attitudes and motivations, prevention behavior and women's empowerment all showed a significant improvement in all the above areas for the trial population.