Effect of Treatment Assignment on Intravaginal Cleansing in a Randomized Study of the Diaphragm with Candidate Microbicide

Intravaginal cleansing may predispose women to adverse health outcomes and may interfere with the effectiveness and safety of female-initiated methods for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In a 4-week randomized study of 192 Malagasy sex workers, we evaluated associations between self-reported intravaginal cleansing and randomization assignment: diaphragm with viscous candidate microbicide gel (Acidform™, TOPCAD, Chicago, IL, licensed to Instead, Coppell, TX), diaphragm with placebo hydroxyethylcellulose gel (HEC, ReProtect LLC, Baltimore, MD), Acidform alone, or HEC alone

Unmet need for contraception among sex workers in Madagascar

The study was conducted to investigate past and future pregnancy preferences and contraceptive need among Malagasy sex workers