Students a part of spermicide study

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Michael Cusanovich UA vice president for research

The Univer-sity of Arizona students make up about 6 percent of a nonoxynol-9 spermicide study's 180 female participants.

"Spermicide has been in existence for more than 41 years and no studies have been done," said Nancy Perry, a researcher at the Arizona Health Sciences Center's obstetrics and gynecological clinic.

The study aims to test spermicide effectiveness, and how well the patients like it, Perry said.

The lure of experimentation, however, is not strong enough for many college students to volunteer for most studies.

"Not many UA students are involved as subjects as they are involved with carrying out studies," said Michael Cusanovich, UA vice president for research.

Although he could not estimate the number of students who participate in studies, those that involve birth control, alcohol consumption and sleeping habits attract young adults, he said.

Participants in the seven month spermicide study use the contraceptive in various forms - gel, suppository and film. Patients, who are in stable relationships, use the same type of spermicide throughout the study, Perry said.

They are required to visit the clinic four times throughout the study and are paid according to how long they participate.

The partners are not forced to engage in sexual activity.

"We expect you to be a little active," Perry said, adding that people would not be dropped if they abstained.

The women receive free pap smears during their first and last visits and occasional pregnancy tests.

Potential patients complete a survey, consisting of 19 questions related to their health and sexual history. Surveyors ask them if they expect to have sex four times a month, if they would use the spermicide each time and if they are fertile, Perry said.

The UA's spermicide experiment is part of the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development study that includes 10 other cities.

Dr. John Palmer, director of the UA Human Subjects Committee, said the university's 200 experiments on people each year are carefully examined before they are approved. He said more were "approved than disapproved."

"We ensure the rights of the subjects is protected. We don't want people to be put at risk," he said.

According to federal law, drug studies require committee review before they can be approved, Palmer said. The Human Subjects Committee examines medicinal and behavioral research studies. Experiments without risks do not have to be reviewed.

Before participating in a study, patients must consent to the risks and benefits by signing an official document.

"Patients are thoroughly, properly informed," Palmer said. "They must review consent forms."

Some patients can have allergic reactions to the drugs, Cusanovich said.

"We've never had a claim (lawsuit) in 10 years," he said. "Unless we really screw up, the insurance company would pay for it."

Irene Hsiao can be reached via e-mail at Irene.Hsiao@wildcat.arizona.edu.