Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Use of Vaginal Diaphragm to Prevent STDs Acceptable to Women in Study

Julie E. Maher and colleagues at the Multnomah County Health Department and Oregon Department of Human Services in Portland found that the positive attitude of study participants toward the vaginal diaphragm as a means of preventing STDs has "important implications for the reintroduction of the traditional diaphragm."

"Interest in the diaphragm has been growing," Maher and colleagues wrote, "in part because it is a female-controlled method that might protect against HIV and other [STDs]." The researchers conducted telephone interviews with 215 women ages 19-49 who said they had used a diaphragm in the past three months.

"Most participants had a low risk for HIV and other STDs," the researchers found. "The mean duration of diaphragm use was 8.5 years."

"Although only 42% of participants reported consistent use in the past 3 months, most were satisfied with the method (79%) and planned to use it at next vaginal intercourse (85%). Satisfied users had significantly higher diaphragm use self-efficacy and more positive perceptions of the method than those not satisfied," the report stated. Being older and having some college education were significantly associated with consistent diaphragm use.

"More than half of women cited dissatisfaction with previous methods (72%) and provider recommendation (61%) as moderately to extremely important in their decision to begin diaphragm use," the investigators found. Almost a third (32%) of participants said they would like to see some alteration made with regard to inserting or removing the diaphragm.

"From an acceptability point of view, the diaphragm appears to be a viable candidate for a female-controlled method for prevention of HIV and other STDs. Our findings have important implications for the reintroduction of the traditional diaphragm and development of new diaphragm-like products," the authors concluded.

The report, "Acceptability of the Vaginal Diaphragm Among Current Users," appeared in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (2004;36(2):64-71).

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