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

02391_3 SEXUAL BARRIER METHOD ACCEPTABILITY AMOUNG HIV- POSITIVE US AND ZAMBIAN WOMEN

Weiss, Stephen*
Jones, D**, Bhat, G***, Bwalya, V***, Lydston, D*, Villar, O*, O’Sullivan, MJ*

HIV-positive Zambian (n = 359) and US (n = 232) women were assessed and the effects of a culturally tailored cognitive-behavioral based intervention on sexual risk behavior and sexual barrier acceptability and preference were compared. Vaginal lubricants were provided as surrogates for vaginal chemical barriers (VCBs) in addition to male and female condoms. Mean ages (Zambia 29, US 39) and average education level 8 (Zambia) and 12 (US) years at both sites were comparable. Women at both sites were multiethnic (US, African American, Hispanic, Creole speaking; Zambia, over 15 ethnic groups). Most were unemployed (Zambia 78%, US 85%) and sexually active (Zambia 79%, US 72%).

At baseline, 6 and 12 months post-intervention, Sexual Activities and Acceptability Questionnaires were administered to assess frequency of product use, acceptability and preference. Among Zambians, use of male and female condom use increased post-intervention (F = 14.5, p = .001) while US women did not experience a similar increase (F = .789, p = .463). Both US and Zambian participants identified ease of use and comfort as the most important characteristics of sexual barrier products and the potential to use a product secretly as the least important following trial use. In both samples, product acceptability predicted use of gels and suppositories and acceptability of VCBs increased post-intervention. Suppositories (Zambia) and gels (US) were most popular. Results suggest increased acceptability predicted use in both US and Zambian women Findings suggest cognitive behavioral interventions can be translated from US to African urban settings. Study supported by NIMH R01-MH63630.

Dr. Stephen M Weiss
University of Miami School of Medicine, 1400 NW 10th Ave., Ste. 404 (D-21) Miami, FL 33136
(Telephone) 305 243 2103 (Fax) 305 243 2126 (E-mail) sweiss2@med.miami.edu