Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material
Published on: December 20, 2024
Comparative acceptability of the SILCS and Ortho ALL-FLEX diaphragms among couples in the Dominican Republic
Patricia S Coffey1, Maggie Kilbourne-Brook, Vivian Brache
1PATH, Seattle, WA 97107-5136, USA. pcoffey@path.org
Background:
The SILCS diaphragm is a new, single-size contraceptive diaphragm. The objective of this crossover pilot study was to assess the fit and acceptability of the SILCS diaphragm compared to the Ortho ALL-FLEX diaphragm to validate the product design among parous women in a low-resource setting.
Study Design:
Sexually active couples not at risk of pregnancy and at low risk of sexually transmitted infection were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups to determine order of device use. Couples used each device four times and provided feedback on key performance indicators via product-use questionnaires, a simple coital log and a gender-specific debriefing interview.
Results:
Twenty couples provided data on a total of 160 product uses (80 for each device). Couples indicated that both diaphragms were acceptable with respect to ease of use, comfort and satisfaction with sex. At the end of the study, 19 of 20 women and 15 of 20 men reported preferring the SILCS diaphragm over the Ortho diaphragm (p
Conclusion:
Short-term acceptability of the SILCS and Ortho diaphragms during use was comparable, although overall both women and men preferred the SILCS diaphragm over the Ortho diaphragm. Acceptance of diaphragms in general, and the SILCS diaphragm in particular, is likely among couples willing to use a barrier method.
Related Concept Videos
Equivalent Couples
Two couples are considered to be equivalent if they produce the same rotational effect on a rigid body. In other words, the two couples have the same magnitude and act in the same direction, causing the same angular displacement or acceleration in the body.
For instance, consider two couples lying in the plane of the page, with one having a pair of equal...
Birth Control Methods
Couples Therapy
Core Principles and Techniques
Couples therapy often incorporates cognitive-behavioral principles to identify and modify negative...
Relationship Formation
Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
Reliability and Validity

