A Sexual Barrier Intervention for HIV+/- Zambian Women: Acceptability and Use of Vaginal Chemical Barriers.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to (a) assess the efficacy of a culturally tailored behavioral intervention to increase use and acceptability of sexual barrier products among HIV+ and HIV- Zambian women, (b) compare group versus individual interventions to increase barrier use and acceptability, and (c) validate the role of cultural factors as facilitators or impediments to sexual risk reduction. METHODS: A sample of 150 HIV+ and HIV- Zambian women was recruited from the University Teaching Hospital HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre, randomized into one of three conditions, and assessed at baseline and 6 months. Group and individual intervention participants attended a 3-session intervention plus pre- and post-HIV test counseling; control participants received pre- and post-test counseling only. RESULTS: Group intervention participants increased use of sexual barriers and had higher levels of acceptability than did individual intervention participants. HIV- group participants increased use of chemical barriers and female condoms. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the use of group interventions to increase sexual barrier use and acceptability and decrease sexual risk behavior in both HIV+ and HIV- women.