Articles

« Songs Promoting Safe Sex | Home | Women and HIV Risk »

Microbicides, Innovations in Reproductive Health

August 13, 2006

What are microbicides? The term refers to a range of products that share the ability to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases when applied topically. A microbicide can come in various forms including gels, creams, suppositories, films, and as a sponge or ring that releases the active ingredient over time.

Microbicides are presently under scientific testing. Eleven out of sixty product leads have proven safe and effective in animals. The product is now being tested in people. Impending success could lead to the availability of a public use microbicide in the next five to seven years. Lack of funding for research and development causes major setbacks.

A microbicide would not eliminate the need for a condom. Male and female condoms provide better protection than microbicides. For people who do not use condoms, microbicides could have a considerable impact on the HIV epidemic. Research has shown if a small proportion of women in low income countries use a 60 % effective microbicide in half of their sexual relations where condoms are not used, 2.5 million HIV infections could be averted over 3 years.

Most microbicide products being tested work against the spread of HIV and one other sexually transmitted disease. It is difficult to make a one size fits all product because STDs are caused by different viral or bacterial pathogens. Health professionals suggest using multiple mechanisms for a wider range of protection.

The research is conducted by non-profit and academic institutions funded by federal research grants through the National Institute of Health, US Agency for International Development, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Large pharmaceutical companies have not taken interest due to the low profit incentive.

No one strategy will solve the problems associated with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Microbicides serve as an additional tool to prevent the spread of disease. Existing prevention strategies—such as behavior change, broad access to condoms, counseling and testing, and STD diagnosis and treatment are equally important in the fight against AIDS.

Posted at 12:56 AM by Shantrie in the Safer Sex category/ies.