Vaginal Drying Agents and HIV Transmission

Abstract

Biological social and economic factors all affect a womans risk of HIV infection. Certain sexual practices such as the use of vaginal drying agents may also increase womens HIV risk when such practices result in genital irritation and inflammation. Stones leaves powders herbs water dry cloth antiseptics pharmaceutical products and tissue or toilet paper are some of the items which may be inserted into the vagina to make it more dry and tight when a cultural preference exists for dry vaginas during sexual intercourse. The use of vaginal drying agents has been reported in South Africa Senegal Zaire Cameroon Malawi Zambia Kenya Zimbabwe Saudi Arabia Haiti and Costa Rica. The international health community however knows little about the prevalence of the practice whether it increases the risk of HIV infection or how to implement culturally sensitive and effective educational interventions which address the potential health consequences of use. Vaginal drying practices are part of a complex web of biological economic and cultural factors which may affect womens risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Health promotion and disease prevention initiatives can be effective only if they understand and account for the interrelated factors affecting the practice. Qualitative data are needed on the impact of such agents upon reproductive health initiatives for women.