“If my clinical counterparts, who are actually developing the pharmaceutical sides of things – the drug side of things – the drug that they will actually put into the gel or ring or whatever they’re going to put it into – if they do that and they do that well, and we have a product that will actually reduce HIV infections, the reality is it will only do that if people use it. So if people don’t use it, it will sit on a shelf and will have no impact on the HIV pandemic,” she said.
So they developed four different vaginal gels. None contained any antiretroviral drug, but each provided a different sensory experience when used. About 200 women tested the gels and told researchers what they liked or didn’t like about them. They also said whether they would use a particular gel again.
Morrow said, “Microbicides in the context of sexual intercourse to prevent HIV disease requires human beings to behave in specific ways. Requires them to use the product. Requires them to use it consistently. Requires them to use it correctly. In my mind it’s only going to happen if that experience of using the product is one that fits into their lives.”
The opinions of the study participants are now being analyzed. The data will help determine the best formulation of microbicides that both blocks HIV and meets the needs and preferences of women.
The Project LINK study was funded by the National Institutes of Health as part of the Microbicide Innovation Program.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25