Table 1.
Illustrative quotes of participant responses to characteristics during film property evaluation interview.
| Themes and participants’ meaning making | Illustrative quotes* |
|---|---|
| Film size | |
| Size elicits perceptions of product efficacy | (1) [expressing preference]: [the 1″×2″] because … the size of it looks big enough to be able to do the job. |
| Smaller films dissolve more quickly and elicit anticipations of stickiness and/or leakage | (2) [expressing preference]: Maybe [1″×1″] ‘cuz it’s smaller. I think [the 1″×3″] is too big ‘cuz … I had a hard time putting it in [in the clinic]. So this is definitely way too big … because when it gets moist it sticks to your hands. |
| Film texture | |
| Texture impacts ease of insertion | (3) [smooth/smooth] I don’t imagine that this consistency, both being light and being really slippery would lead to getting inside me easily. … And [smooth/textured] is just—I feel like [it] might be too heavy, heavier than needed, unnecessary. |
| Texture impacts perceptions of dissolution | (4) [textured/textured], I think it would be easier to dissolve. … if you were to fold it like this, it feels more easier to dissolve than—than [smooth/textured] and [smooth/smooth] would be because [smooth/smooth] feels like a piece of plastic. |
| Film color | |
| Degree of transparency versus opacity related to acceptability | (5) It reminds me of Scotch® tape [not deemed acceptable] [and] (6) Anything that’s clear, that you can’t see, is cool with me |
| Being aware/knowing the film is present: elicits perceptions of product efficacy and/or use confidence | (7) I feel like [opaque] works because you would know if it’s coming out of you, like if you don’t get it all in there, you could easily tell that it was the product and not just your vaginal fluids. |
| Other relevant attributes | |
| Texture elicits perceptions of thickness/thinness as well as anticipations of physical awareness | (8) I think you probably wouldn’t feel [smooth-smooth] at all … ‘cause it is very thin. It’s a lot thinner than [smooth-textured] and [textured-textured]. [textured-textured] I would think you would feel just a smidgen more ‘cause it is thicker |
| Texture impacts comfort balanced with efficacy, but smaller sizes elicit perceived need for mass (i.e. thickness) to gain perceived product efficacy | (9) Like [smooth/smooth] I would prefer inside me, with a partner, … if it was equally as effective, I would prefer [that]. But as a consumer, I feel like it’s so little [size], that if you gave me the thin or the thick, and I’m trying to prevent HIV, I’m gonna go with thick |
| Flexibility related to acceptability, potentially comfort | (10) I would say the texture would actually be non-negotiable, because I like that it’s light … and I like how it feels … it’s light and it’s flexible. … Not so flexible as like a tissue, but, you know, not rigid like this piece of packing tape [smooth-smooth] over there. |
| Edges elicit concerns regarding sharpness and product effects | (11) [this one] seems a little bit hard, like the edges might be a little bit uncomfortable to put in (12) [my partner] might be worried about the sharp corners too … he might be like, ‘well how fast does it dissolve? Are the corners still gonna be there when we start having intercourse?’ (13) The other thing I did was just kinda feel the edges to see if they felt like sharp … and they don’t seem too sharp |
| Shapes elicit perceptions of comfort on insertion | (14) It might be better if it was circular ….it would fit better if it was circular. And … these little points on the side might not curl under … And, it might just go in better. |
*
[Bracketed information] identifies editorial notations and/or the film property being referenced by the participant.