TOPICAL MICROBICIDES - CURRENT STATUS AND RESEARCH CONSIDERATIONS FORADOLESCENT GIRLS

Background and Objectives: For sexually active adolescent girls, sexua lly transmitted diseases (STDs) represent a significant health problem . Although condom use may be an effective intervention against STDs in this high-risk population, actual use depends on the cooperation of t he male partner. Therefore, the development of female-controlled metho ds such as topical microbicides have been endorsed as an important opt ion for STD prevention. Goals: This article reviews the current status of intravaginal microbicide development and discusses aspects of adol escent development that should be considered in topical microbicide re search. Results: Biological development, cognitive capacities, psychos exual maturation, and the sociocultural context are key features that affect the likelihood that adolescents will adopt microbicides as a sp ecific method of STD protection.Conclusion: Adoption of topical microb icides by adolescents will require an ''adolescent friendly'' perspect ive for topical microbicides to have a significant impact on the STD e pidemic.