Acceptability of an extended duration vaginal ring for HIV prevention and interest in a multi-purpose ring

Marie C D Stoner, Erica N Browne, Holly M Gundacker, Imogen Hawley, Beatrice A Chen, Craig Hoesley, Rachel Scheckter, Jeanna Piper, Devika Singh, Mei Song, Albert Liu, Ariane van der Straten, Marie C D Stoner, Erica N Browne, Holly M Gundacker, Imogen Hawley, Beatrice A Chen, Craig Hoesley, Rachel Scheckter, Jeanna Piper, Devika Singh, Mei Song, Albert Liu, Ariane van der Straten

Abstract

Given challenges with adherence to existing HIV prevention products, the development of an extended duration vaginal ring could improve adherence while reducing patient and provider burden. Additionally, women have other interlinked sexual health concerns such as unintended pregnancy. We evaluated acceptability of a 90-day ring to prevent HIV and hypothetical preferences for a dual (HIV and contraceptive) indication. This was a secondary analysis of a Phase 1, two-arm, multi-site, placebo-controlled randomized trial evaluating safety and pharmacokinetics of a 90-day vaginal ring containing tenofovir for HIV prevention (N = 49). We used a mixed methods approach to assess quantitative data on acceptability (n = 49) and used qualitative data from a random subset to explain the quantitative findings (N = 25). The 3-month extended duration tenofovir ring was highly acceptable. Participants perceived the ring to be easy to use, comfortable and reported liking it more over time. About half felt the ring during sex but most of those participants said it bothered them only a little. Concerns about hygiene increased over the study period but were often outweighed by the benefits of an extended duration ring. Interest in a multi-purpose ring was high (77%) and even higher among those who were sexually active and had male partners. The 3-month extended duration tenofovir ring for HIV prevention was highly acceptable among women and interest in an MPT was high.

Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Chen receives research grants from Medicines360 and Sebela, which are all managed by Magee-Womens Research Institute. All other authors declare no conflict of interest. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1. CONRAD 90-day 1.4-gram tenofovir vaginal…
Fig 1. CONRAD 90-day 1.4-gram tenofovir vaginal ring to prevent HIV used in the MTN 038 study.
Fig 2. Measured preferences surrounding a vaginal…
Fig 2. Measured preferences surrounding a vaginal ring for HIV prevention at product use end visit (PUEV), N = 48.

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