AEGiS-08IAC: Efficacy of spermicide use and condom use by HIV-discordant couples in Zambia.

8th International AIDS Conference


Amsterdam, Netherlands — July 19-24, 1992

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Efficacy of spermicide use and condom use by HIV-discordant couples in Zambia.

Int Conf AIDS 1992 Jul 19-24; 8:We61 (abstract no. WeC 1085)
Feldblum P, Hira S, Godwin S, Kamanga J, Mukelabai G; Family Health International, NC.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the association between consistent spermicide use and HIV incidence, and consistent condom use and HIV incidence, among HIV-discordant couples.

METHODS: HIV-discordant couples visit the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka quarterly. After informed consent, they are counseled on HIV risk reduction and the use of condoms and spermicides (barrier methods). They record data on sexual activity and barrier use on a pictorial coital log. Counseling, blood testing, physical exams and barrier method supply are done at each clinic visit, coital log data are summarized, and other risk behaviors are queried. Follow-up data are available for 105 couples.

RESULTS: Mean follow-up is 16.6 months per couple. One or both barrier methods are reported used for most coital acts (78% of coital acts protected by condoms, 86% by spermicides, 5% of acts unprotected). Genital ulcers have been rare during follow-up. Twelve seroconversions have occurred (8.3 per 100 couple-years (c-y)). The incidence rate is 4.5/100 c-y among initially seronegative women and 21.2/100 c-y among initially seronegative men. Comparing couples using spermicide at every intercourse with less consistent users, the rate ratio (RR) is 0.9 (95% CI: 0.2, 3.3). Comparing couples using condoms at every intercourse with less consistent users, the RR is 0.3 (0.0, 2.1). Among initially seronegative women, both consistent spermicide use (RR = 0.6) and consistent condom use (RR = 0.0) protect against HIV infection. No protection is noted for initially seronegative men, who may behaving unreported and unprotected extramarital sexual contact.

CONCLUSIONS: Consistent spermicide use may substantially reduce the rate of HIV infection in women, as may consistent condom use.

Keywords: AEGIS, Spermatocidal Agents, HIV, Condoms, HIV Infections, Coitus, Counseling, Contraception, HIV Seronegativity, Risk-Taking, Condoms, Female, Zambia, HIV Antibodies, Incidence, Human, Female, Male, utilization, immunology, ICA8KWDaegis,spermatocidalagents,hiv,condoms,hivinfections,coitus,counseling,contraception,hivseronegativity,risk-taking,condoms,female,zambia,hivantibodies,incidence,human,female,male,utilization,immunology,ica8
920719
WeC1085

Copyright © 1992 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.