PREVENTION OF VAGINAL TRICHOMONIASIS BY COMPLIANT USE OF THE FEMALE CONDOM

Background Several case-control studies suggest that the male condom p rotects women against some sexually transmitted diseases. The female c ondom is the first barrier device under the woman's control that may b e effective in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Goal o f this study: To determine if appropriate use of the female condom dec reased the rate of recurrent vaginal trichomoniasis in previously diag nosed and treated women. Study design: One hundred and four sexually a ctive women with vaginal trichomoniasis were treated with metronidazol e and assigned to a group using the female condom or a control group d uring a 45-day period of continued sexual activity. Fifty women served as controls, and 54 women were assigned to use the female condom. Res ults: Only 20 women used the female condom each time they had sexual i ntercourse. Reinfection with trichomonas occurred in 7/50 (14%) contro ls, in 5/34 (14.7%) noncompliant users, and in 0/20 compliant users of the female condom. Conclusion: The compliant use of the female condom is effective in preventing recurrent vaginal trichomoniasis.