During the recently held 16th International AIDS Conference, in Toronto August 13 - August 18, 2006 the new microbicide product which is expected to give women more muscle in the decision- making process about their sexual health, was given public support by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Historically, the Population Council has been known to have developed safe, effective contraceptives and has worked to make them available at very low (or no) cost to people in developing countries.

Over 17 years the Council has been working to develop a safe and effective method, which women could initiate to offer protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and does not necessarily prevent pregnancy.

To date, the focus is on a non - contraceptive microbicide product. This therefore means that when compared with the male and female condoms, which offer dual action - that is for protection against sexually transmitted infections including HIV and as contraceptive methods. The non - contraceptive microbicide product may offer couples a choice to have safe sex and to protect their health, while still being able to have children.

Although, there is a great deal of investigation still being conducted as to safe and effective use of microbicide products these are described as a range of products, which include creams, gel, films, or suppositories. These substances can be applied vaginally prior to the sexual act to reduce the transmission of HIV and possibly other organisms, which may cause other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If proven viable, microbicides are expected to offer a powerful new preventive measure, in the fight against the spread of the HIV.

At the end of 2005 an estimated 40 million adults worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS this includes 4.9 million who were newly infected. A report by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) stated that 45 million new infections are expected to occur between 2002 and 2010. Heterosexual contact is the mode of transmission for the majority of these new infections; this means that women, will be increasingly affected by HIV/AIDS. An estimated 17.5 million women worldwide were HIV- positive an increase of one million women in two years at the end of 2005.

It has been determined that the social, cultural and economic gender inequalities are factors, which limit women's ability to protect themselves from infection by the HIV. Although measures, which exist such as abstinence, mutual monogamy (one faithful partner), among HIV negative partners and the use of condoms are being vigorously employed in preventing the transmission and spread of the virus; in some cases, these are not feasible protective strategies for most women.

This has prompted the urgent need for a protective product which can be initiated by women thereby giving them control over their sexual health and by extension their lives. However, although microbicides when introduced are expected to offer females more control over their sexual lives, men will also benefit greatly as a result of this.

If current or future trials prove successful and the microbicides products are shown to be safe and effective, additional steps will have to be taken before the product is available to consumers. Approvals for the product would have to be secured through the regulatory bodies of the countries in which the product would be marketed; and agreements would be needed for production and distribution.

It is important to note though that, while we await the introduction of the microbicides products, which we are duly informed can have a substantial impact on the HIV epidemic, it is critical that we continue to employ safe sex practices, which would reduce the risk of contracting the HIV. To this end young persons should delay early sexual initiation by practicing abstinence, an option, which offers full protection from all sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and for those persons who are in relationships, to engage in sexual activity with one faithful partner (mutual monogamy).

Submitted by:
Keziah Richards- Nash
National AIDS Program
Tel/ Fax: 946-1675 or 941-4984