Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.

<h4>Background</h4>Microbicide candidates delivered via gel vehicles are intended to coat the vaginal epithelium after application. The coating process depends on intrinsic biophysical properties of the gel texture, which restricts the potential choices for an effective product: the gel...

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Autores principales:	Stéphane Verguet, Bethany Young Holt, Andrew J Szeri
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2010
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/f201747c81784fe28d0c28be3482d592
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:f201747c81784fe28d0c28be3482d5922021-11-18T07:36:38ZIncreasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.1932-620310.1371/journal.pone.0015501https://doaj.org/article/f201747c81784fe28d0c28be3482d5922010-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/21124931/pdf/?tool=EBIhttps://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203<h4>Background</h4>Microbicide candidates delivered via gel vehicles are intended to coat the vaginal epithelium after application. The coating process depends on intrinsic biophysical properties of the gel texture, which restricts the potential choices for an effective product: the gel first must be physically synthesizable, then acceptable to the user, and finally applied in a manner promoting timely adequate coating, so that the user adherence is optimized. We present a conceptual framework anchoring microbicide behavioral acceptability within the fulfillment of the product biophysical requirements.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a semi-qualitative/quantitative study targeting women aged 18-55 in Northern California to assess user preferences for microbicide gel attributes. Attributes included: (i) the wait time between application and intercourse, (ii) the gel texture and (iii) the trade-off between wait time and gel texture. Wait times were assessed using a mathematical model determining coating rates depending upon the gel's physical attributes.<h4>Results</h4>71 women participated. Results suggest that women would independently prefer a gel spreading rapidly, in 2 to 15 minutes (P<0.0001), as well as one that is thick or slippery (P<0.02). Clearly, thick gels do not spread rapidly; hence the motivation to study the trade-off. When asked the same question 'constrained' by the biophysical reality, women indicated no significant preference for a particular gel thickness (and therefore waiting time) (P>0.10) for use with a steady partner, a preference for a watery gel spreading rapidly rather than one having intermediate properties for use with a casual partner (P = 0.024).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Biophysical constraints alter women's preferences regarding acceptable microbicide attributes. Product developers should offer a range of formulations in order to address all preferences. We designed a conceptual framework to rethink behavioral acceptability in terms of biophysical requirements that can help improve adherence in microbicide use ultimately enhancing microbicide effectiveness.Stéphane VerguetBethany Young HoltAndrew J SzeriPublic Library of Science (PLoS)articleMedicineRScienceQENPLoS ONE, Vol 5, Iss 11, p e15501 (2010)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q Stéphane Verguet Bethany Young Holt Andrew J Szeri Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.
description	<h4>Background</h4>Microbicide candidates delivered via gel vehicles are intended to coat the vaginal epithelium after application. The coating process depends on intrinsic biophysical properties of the gel texture, which restricts the potential choices for an effective product: the gel first must be physically synthesizable, then acceptable to the user, and finally applied in a manner promoting timely adequate coating, so that the user adherence is optimized. We present a conceptual framework anchoring microbicide behavioral acceptability within the fulfillment of the product biophysical requirements.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a semi-qualitative/quantitative study targeting women aged 18-55 in Northern California to assess user preferences for microbicide gel attributes. Attributes included: (i) the wait time between application and intercourse, (ii) the gel texture and (iii) the trade-off between wait time and gel texture. Wait times were assessed using a mathematical model determining coating rates depending upon the gel's physical attributes.<h4>Results</h4>71 women participated. Results suggest that women would independently prefer a gel spreading rapidly, in 2 to 15 minutes (P<0.0001), as well as one that is thick or slippery (P<0.02). Clearly, thick gels do not spread rapidly; hence the motivation to study the trade-off. When asked the same question 'constrained' by the biophysical reality, women indicated no significant preference for a particular gel thickness (and therefore waiting time) (P>0.10) for use with a steady partner, a preference for a watery gel spreading rapidly rather than one having intermediate properties for use with a casual partner (P = 0.024).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Biophysical constraints alter women's preferences regarding acceptable microbicide attributes. Product developers should offer a range of formulations in order to address all preferences. We designed a conceptual framework to rethink behavioral acceptability in terms of biophysical requirements that can help improve adherence in microbicide use ultimately enhancing microbicide effectiveness.
format	article
author	Stéphane Verguet Bethany Young Holt Andrew J Szeri
author_facet	Stéphane Verguet Bethany Young Holt Andrew J Szeri
author_sort	Stéphane Verguet
title	Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.
title_short	Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.
title_full	Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.
title_fullStr	Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.
title_full_unstemmed	Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.
title_sort	increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.
publisher	Public Library of Science (PLoS)
publishDate	2010
url	https://doaj.org/article/f201747c81784fe28d0c28be3482d592
work_keys_str_mv	AT stephaneverguet increasingtheeffectivenessofvaginalmicrobicidesabiophysicalframeworktorethinkbehavioralacceptability AT bethanyyoungholt increasingtheeffectivenessofvaginalmicrobicidesabiophysicalframeworktorethinkbehavioralacceptability AT andrewjszeri increasingtheeffectivenessofvaginalmicrobicidesabiophysicalframeworktorethinkbehavioralacceptability
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Increasing the effectiveness of vaginal microbicides: a biophysical framework to rethink behavioral acceptability.

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