Abstract
Future HIV prevention options for women will likely include Antiretroviral (ARV)-based intravaginal rings. Valuable insights may be gained by examining user experiences with a similar licensed technology, a contraceptive ring, especially in settings where this technology may not be currently available. In-depth interviews with 24 females enrolled in a trial assessing acceptability and use of a contraceptive ring, and 20 male sexual partners were conducted September 2014-April 2015. Elements of ethnography and phenomenological anthropology were used to collect, analyze, interpret, and describe ring users' experiences. Thematic analysis was completed in MaxQDA-10. Experiences with the contraceptive ring reflected a broader Family Planning (FP) paradigm that centered around three themes: latitudes and drawbacks of FP (being free); an FP method needs to be compatible with a woman's body (feeling normal); and dealing with fertility control uncertainties (how well does it really work). FP intentions and disclosure practices were influenced by partner support, socioeconomic factors, religion, cultural beliefs, and societal norms, including female sexuality. A user-friendly FP design was emphasized. Non-suppression of menstruation was favored by most. Unease with vaginal insertion as well as ring placement issues (slippage, expulsion) created initial challenges requiring clinician assistance and practice for some participants. While minor side-effects were described, concerns centered on ring efficacy, negative effect on a woman's sexual desire, and future fertility issues. Awareness of the multiple contexts in ring users' experience may inform the development, education, and promotion approaches for future ARV rings.
Highlights
When countries gathered in New York at the beginning of this century to articulate a new development agenda, one of the most momentous steps they took was to elevate health on the global development agenda
The pledges made by countries in the 2011 UN Political Declaration include specific improvements in health outcomes (e.g. 50% reductions in both sexual and drug-related HIV and the transmission, elimination of new HIV infections among children); coverage and resource targets; elimination targets; and steps to ensure the sustainability of the response
As a result of sustained progress in meeting the needs of tuberculosis patients living with HIV, the world is within reach of achieving the 2015 target of reducing by 50% tuberculosis-related deaths among people living with HIV
Summary
When countries gathered in New York at the beginning of this century to articulate a new development agenda, one of the most momentous steps they took was to elevate health on the global development agenda. Determined to build on prior gains in reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, and looking forwards to the eventual end of the AIDS epidemic, they endorsed the 2011 UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, which set forth a series of ambitious targets and elimination commitments for 2015. FIGURE A Numbers of people living with HIV, new HIV infections, and AIDS deaths, 2001-2012, globally. Momentum accelerated in 2012 towards the scale-up of one such biomedical intervention – voluntary medical male circumcision
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
