No sex for science? Formative research on the acceptability and feasibility of a true contraceptive efficacy clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Recruitment challenges and restrictions on intercourse frequency and timing have stymied previous attempts to implement true contraceptive efficacy clinical trials. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative research was conducted in Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States to explore the acceptability of three potential true contraceptive efficacy study designs and the feasibility of recruitment for such trials, including characteristics of potential participants who may be willing to join. RESULTS: Participants preferred the study design with the least restrictive sex criteria: participants have sex with assigned contraceptive method/no method on days around ovulation and use condoms on other days. Participants suggested that condom adherence would be low. Differences were noted across sites on whether female participants should be actively seeking pregnancy or not actively seeking pregnancy but willing to accept a pregnancy. Recruitment of participants was expected to be difficult. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that a true contraceptive efficacy clinical trial may not be feasible at this time in these settings.

In search of sexual pleasure and fidelity: vaginal practices in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Vaginal practices, such as intra-vaginal cleansing, drying and tightening, are suspected of placing women at higher risk of acquiring HIV and STIs. Yet, there is limited understanding of what these practices entail, what motivates women to undertake them and what their socio-cultural and historical meanings are. This paper explores the range of vaginal practices used by women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and locates these within the context of local patterns of migration and understandings of sexual health and pleasure. Study activities took place at an urban and rural site employing qualitative research techniques: semi-structured interviewing and an additional ethnographic component in the rural site. Vaginal practices were believed to be ubiquitous and a wide range of substances and procedures were described. Strong motivations for vaginal practices included women's desire to enhance men's sexual pleasure, ensure men's fidelity and exercise agency and control in their relationships. The common use of traditional medicines in this quest to maintain stable relationships and affect the course of love, suggests a complexity that cannot be captured by simple terms like 'dry sex'. We argue instead that any interventions to change women's reliance on vaginal practices must recognise and attend to the broader social contexts in which they are embedded.

Communities, opportunities, and adolescents' sexual behavior in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

In 2002, the prevalence of HIV among South African clinic attendees under the age of 20 was 15 percent, suggesting a correspondingly high level of unprotected sex and risky sexual behavior. Past research focused on the dynamics of individuals' and partners' sexual decisionmaking without accounting for the larger context in which such decisions are made. Do adolescents' opportunities for schooling, work, and other community activities make a difference? This study uses data collected from a representative sample of young people living in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to explore these questions. Logit analyses show that for girls, higher levels of education reduced the probability of having had sex in the 12 months prior to the survey, and average wages were positively associated with condom use. Greater participation in community sports increased risk-taking behaviors among boys but decreased them among girls. Within the household, education of adults had a positive effect on condom use for both boys and girls.