P05.05
Background: Women's contraceptive choices vary according to the type of relationships they have and other aspects of their life. We describe the preference of modern contraceptive methods among HIV high risk women screened to participate in a Phase III vaginal microbicide trial.
Methods: Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, in collaboration with International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), is evaluating safety and efficacy of a dapivirine vaginal ring among healthy HIV negative women in a multicentre Phase III trial (The Ring Study). One of the study eligibility criteria is being on a stable form of contraception in order to reduce the pregnancy rate. As part of the screening process, women are identified from townships and fishing communities within 50 km from the centre. Data on use of modern contraception methods (Pills, Injectables, Implants, IUCDs, Surgical) are collected, and confirmed by a contraceptive card or presence of an implant or IUCD strings. Women who are willing are provided by the research centre with contraception of choice (pills, injectables) or referred to a provider (Implants, IUCDs, Surgical). The proportion of women per method used was determined.
Results: A total of 489 women, with a mean age of 28 years, were pre-screened (age range 18 to 44 years). Most (306, 63%) were already using contraception: 55% were on Injectables, followed by Implants (28%), IUCDs (8%), Pills (7%) and only 2% had undergone a Surgical method. Of the women who were not on any method, 106 (58%) accepted Injectables, 40 (22%) preferred Implants, 33 (18%) oral Pills and 4 (2%) chose IUCDs.
Conclusions: There is high contraceptive use among HIV high risk women and the majority prefer Injectables. This is encouraging and will hopefully reduce discontinuation of volunteers from the trial due to pregnancy.
