THE VAGINAL USE OF HERBS SUBSTANCES - AN HIV TRANSMISSION FACILITATORY FACTOR

Heterosexual intercourse accounts for 80% of HIV transmission in sub-S aharan Africa. Factors facilitating cross-infection may include sexual practices such as the vaginal use of herbs/substances to dry, contrac t and heat the vagina for enhancement of sexual pleasure. The behaviou ral-analytic study investigated the use of different types of herbs/su bstances used by 75 HIV positive and 76 negative sexually active femal es and the perceived effects of these agents. Individual in-depth inte rviews were conducted. 99% of all subjects admitted using herbs/substa nces mainly to contract (94%), dry (58%) and heat (28%) the vagina. Th ere was no significant difference in the pattern of use of herbs and r easons given for using the agents by HIV positive and negative women. 69% of HIV negative and 80% of positive subjects had used a mean of 4 difference types of herbs and/or substances during the last 5 years. 3 9% negative and 25% positive subjects had experienced intra-vaginal pa in and lower abdominal pains during and after sexual intercourse, lace ration of the vagina and excessive vaginal secretions after using herb s. These effects were attributed to Wankie (herb or substance) in 70% of the complaints. 14 HIV positive subjects compared with 7 in the neg ative group had used Wankie. The role of Wankie and similar substances in transmitting HIV cross-infection requires further investigations. From the point of view of AIDS prevention, expectations of a dry and c ontracted vagina in sexual intercourse may reduce acceptability and us e of female and male condoms.