![]() | |||||||||||||||
Vaginal Gel Study DiscontinuedBy Candace Y.A. Montague November 28, 2011 The National Institutes of Health NIAID announced Friday that it will discontinue the trial of a microbicidal vaginal gel used in the VOICE study. The study looked at the use of three forms of anti-retroviral treatment; a vaginal gel containing tenofovir, a tenofovir pill and Truvada which is a pill containing tenofovir and a booster drug. The results of the study found that there was no difference between the effects on women who used the gel and women who used a placebo. More than 5,000 women in three African countries took part in the study. Results from the first round of trials with the gel were announced at the International AIDS Conference in 2010. It was lauded as being safe, convenient, and effective. Women in the study who used the gel were found to reduce their chances for contracting HIV by 39 percent. If they used it consistently, they reduced their chances by 54 percent. The scientist who lead the study were from the Center for the AIDS Program In South Africa (CAPRISA). Now participants (nearly 2,000 women) in the trial will be told to discontinue using the gel during their next clinical visit. The news comes with great disappointment as this gel would have been an excellent line of defense for women against HIV. Women could have been empowered to protect their sexual health better by using the gel on themselves. This kind of prevention is especially critical for women who are in relationships where there is domestic violence and sex workers. Clearly, the potential impact of this kind of innovation is worth another try. For more information about the discontinuation, click here. Recommended ReadingAIDS gel for women proven to reduce infection chances. Get e-mail notifications every time Candace's blog is updated.
Add Your Comment:
(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in
Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Before adding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.) |
BLOG:
D.C. HIV/AIDS Examiner ![]() Candace Y.A. Montague Candace Y.A. Montague has been learning about HIV since 1988 (and she has the certificates from the American Red Cross to prove it). Health is a high priority to Candace because she believes that nothing can come of your life if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it. One of her two master's degrees is in Community Health Promotion and Education. Candace was inspired to act against HIV after seeing a documentary in 2008 about African-American women and HIV. She knew that writing was the best way for her to make a difference and help inform others. Candace is a native Washingtonian and covers HIV news all around D.C. She has covered fundraisers, motorcycle rides, town hall meetings, house balls, Capitol Hill press conferences, election campaigns and protests for The DC Examiner.com and emPower News Magazine. Subscribe to Candace's Blog:
Recent Posts:
September 8, 2014 - ADAP Advocacy Association Launches Directory: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague
May 6, 2014 - Artist Luke James Discusses the Importance of Health and Love: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague April 18, 2014 - Three Things You Still Need to Know About Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 7, 2014 - How Technology Decreases the Stigma Surrounding STDs: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague January 21, 2014 - Safer Sex Advice From Dr. Rachael Ross: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague A Brief Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself. |
|
|||||||||||||