INCREASING BARRIER METHOD USE AMONG ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE USERS AT RISK OF STDS - WHAT APPROACH IS BEST

Objectives: We evaluated whether offering a choice of barrier methods can increase overall barrier method use without decreasing condom use in women using oral contraceptives (OCs) for contraception. Study Desi gn: We randomized 167 OC users at risk for sexually transmitted diseas es (STDs) into two groups, one receiving male latex condoms only (Cond om group), the other receiving both male latex condoms and nonoxynol-9 film (Choice group). All participants received similar hierarchical S TD protection counseling. We assessed method use with daily diaries. R esults: The Choice group protected a significantly higher percentage o f their coital acts with a barrier method (month 1 to 2: 29% vs. 22%; month 3 to 4: 33% vs. 21%; and month 5 to 6: 35% vs. 19%; adjusted P = 0.012). Condom use in the Choice group was higher as well (adjusted P = 0.036). When we used a transitional multilogistic regression approa ch to account for differential loss to follow-up in the two groups, re sults were similar. Conclusions: Offering a choice of barrier methods increased overall barrier method use without decreasing condom use.