The female condom is among the most effective yet underutilized methods of preventing HIV and other STI's. This month's HIV Forum will explore the factors related to female condom acceptability and use among women and men in Hartford who are at risk for HIV infection. Michelle Corbett, MPH, CHES, will present initial results from Hartford's Project Protect, a 4-year study conducted by The Institute for Community Research (ICR). Corbett and other project staff will lead an interactive presentation on Tuesday, March 14 at noon at ICR, 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100 (146 Wyllys Street). The event is free; lunch will be provided and advance registration is required.

Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, Project Protect builds on previous research in the area of female-initiated HIV/STI prevention methods to focus on individual and contextual factors that affect female condom use. According to project ethnographer Corbett, awareness of the female condom continues to be limited not only among consumers, but among health care providers and health educators as well, even though it has been on the market in the U.S. since 1993. Among the goals of Project Protect are increased awareness and understanding of the female condom; identification of what women, and men, like or don't like about the product; and the development of strategies to promote its use and increase its acceptability. Corbett notes, "for a variety of reasons, the male condom is not a viable option for many women. With increasing numbers of women becoming infected with HIV and other STI's, it is important that they have access to alternative acceptable and effective methods of protection."

The presentation will include an audience quiz and basic information about the female condom, a demonstration of its use, preliminary findings from Project Protect, and strategies for promoting female condom use. Sexual and reproductive health care providers and educators, researchers and members of the general public who are interested in learning more about additional methods for HIV/STI prevention are encouraged to attend.

This is the second presentation in the Spring 2006 series of forums organized by The Institute for Community Research and the Connecticut AIDS Education and Training Center with support from Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer Ingelheim. The Hartford HIV Forum meets from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm, on the second Tuesday of each month from September through June. The goal of the forums is to give the local community the most up-to-date information on current topics in AIDS prevention, treatment, research and care. To register for the forum, call The Institute for Community Research at 860-278-2044. For more information about the series, contact Kim Radda at 860-278-2044 x285.

The Institute for Community Research is an independent, nonprofit organization which conducts applied research and community enhancement programs to promote equal access to health, education, and cultural resources. The Connecticut AIDS Education and Training Center trains providers with the goal of improving HIV clinical care through a grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (Federal Grant No. 1H4A HA 00050-AO).

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