The acceptability of an investigational vaginal microbicide, PRO 2000 gel, among women in a Phase I clinical trial

Vaginal microbicides will provide a women-initiated prevention strategy that could substantially reduce rates of HIV infection. The acceptability of microbicides will greatly influence the use and, hence, effectiveness of such products. In this study, the acceptability of an investigated microbicide, Pro 2000 Gel was assessed, and women's opinions about microbicides and their potential for real world use were gathered. As microbicide development continues and the first investigational products move into efficacy trails, the needs and preferences of those women who constitute the potential users of microbicides become paramount. Providing women-initiated microbicides that are safe, easy to use, and pleasurable will be key to the impact these products will have on the AIDS epidemic worldwide.