Women's preferences for vaginal antimicrobial contraceptives. IV. Attributes of a formulation that would protect from STD/AIDS.

Vaginal formulations may have "dual" protective activity, against sexually transmitted diseases/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy. The attributes that women find acceptable or unacceptable for such dual protective methods were investigated. More than 50% of the women would not accept messiness, but it was more accepted for dual protective methods than for contraceptives. Very few women would use a dual protective method if it caused vaginal irritation, itching, swelling, or burning, problems associated with presently marketed methods. More than half of the women would use it if it appeared on the penis of their partner or required refrigeration. Use of an applicator to insert the formulation was generally preferred over a manual method. Most women preferred the formulation to be colorless or white, about 16% liked light colors, and about 10% liked darker colors. Almost half of the women were willing to pay up to $5.00 per application of a dual protective formulation, about 15% $3.00, and 30% $1.00. Dual protective methods seem highly acceptable and women would pay much more for them than for condoms. However, these methods should be free of problems usually associated with presently marketed formulations.