Parameters for study of 1,300 sex workers
Parameters for study of 1,300 sex workers
In a nonoxynol 9 study conducted in Cameroon, 1,292 HIV-negative sex workers were randomly assigned to use either a film containing 70 mg of nonoxynol 9 or a placebo film to be inserted into their vaginas prior to intercourse. All of the women received latex condoms and were instructed to have their male sexual partners use them.
The study was conducted by Family Health International in Research Triangle Park, NC, and the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health between March 1995 and December 1996.
The women received monthly follow-up visits, where they were examined via colposcopy for genital lesions. They also were tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV infection. The women were treated, if necessary, for curable sexually transmitted diseases.
The rate of HIV per 100 woman-years was 6.7 in the nonoxynol 9 group compared to 6.6 in the placebo group. In addition, the rates of genital lesions were 42.2 cases per 100 woman-years in the nonoxynol 9 group and 33.5 in the placebo group. The rates of gonorrhea were 33.3 and 31.1 cases per 100 woman- years in the nonoxynol 9 and placebo groups, respectively. Chlamydia infection rates in the nonoxynol 9 group and the placebo group were 20.6 and 22.2 cases per 100 woman-years respectively.
In the study, 147,996 acts of intercourse in the group using nonoxynol 9 film and condoms were compared with 146,942 acts in the group provided with placebo film and condoms. The women reported that male condoms were used during 90% of sexual acts.
The researchers concluded that nonoxynol 9 "did not reduce the rate of new HIV, gonorrhea, or chlamydia infection in this group of sex workers who used condoms and received treatment for sexually transmitted diseases."
References
1. Roddy RE, Zekeng L, Ryan KA, et al. A controlled trial of nonoxynol 9 film to reduce male-to-female transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. New Engl J Med 1998; 339:504-510.
2. Family Health International. Contraceptive update: FHI examines N-9 film effect on STDs. Network 1997; 17:4-8.
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