Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02244 WOMEN’S AUTONOMY AND INFORMED CONSENT IN MICROBICIDES CLINICAL TRIALS RESEARCH

Woodsong, Cynthia*
Macqueen, K*.; Brelsford, E.*; Mhlingo, M.** and Sahay, S.***
*Family Health International; **University of Zimbabwe and University of California, San Francicso Collaboration; ***National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India

Internationally accepted principals of bioethics research include recognition of the autonomy of individuals to make decisions about participation in research, yet potential participants and community leaders in many research settings consider that enrolling women in microbicide trials without involving male partners potentially violates cultural norms. This paper presents data from two recent studies conducted in conjunction with a multi-national microbicides clinical trial (HPTN 035). These studies provide a range of views on participation in microbicide research, including the contentious issue of partner involvement. Data were collected from community leaders, health providers, and female and male research participants in 7 countries.

In addition to considerations of the ethical principal of respect for persons, the host of issues surrounding partner involvement that were raised in the studies include (1) influence on adherence to study protocol, (2) forfeiting the potential for covert use, (3) distrust and/or lack of familiarity with the biomedical research process, and (4) access to trial care and treatment resources.

The authors propose that adopting a comprehensive approach to the informed consent process can facilitate resolution of some of these issues, and this approach is summarized in the paper.

Dr. Cynthia Woodsong, Senior Scientist
PO 13905, RTP NC, 27709 USA
(Telephone) 919.544.7040 (Fax) 919.544.7261 (E-mail) cwoodsong@fhi.org