Microbicides For Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Social Factors

Social Factors

Condoms are an effective method for blocking the transmission of most sexually transmitted diseases (with HPV a notable exception). However, a variety of social factors (including, but not limited to, the sexual disempowerment of women in many cultures) limit the feasibility of condom use. Thus, topical microbicides might provide a useful woman-initiated alternative to condoms.

Some sub-Saharan African cultures view vaginal lubrication as undesirable. Since some topical microbicide formulations currently under development function as lubricants, such "dry sex" traditions may pose a barrier to the implementation of topical microbicidal programs. Recent data on product acceptability, however, show that many men and women enjoy using gels during sex that would contain a microbicidal drug.

Read more about this topic:  Microbicides For Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Famous quotes containing the words social and/or factors:

    “... if the Settlement seeks its expression through social activity, it must learn the difference between mere social unrest and spiritual impulse.”
    —Jane Addams (1860–1935)

    “Language makes it possible for a child to incorporate his parents’ verbal prohibitions, to make them part of himself....We don’t speak of a conscience yet in the child who is just acquiring language, but we can see very clearly how language plays an indispensable role in the formation of conscience. In fact, the moral achievement of man, the whole complex of factors that go into the organization of conscience is very largely based upon language.”
    —Selma H. Fraiberg (20th century)