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

02201 GRASSROOTS MEDIA CRY OUT: WHAT MICROBICIDES?

Olufemi-Kayode, Princess
Falobi, F.
Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) Nigeria

Issue:The need to create awareness, acceptability and readiness of microbicides at grassroot level via mass media relevant in Nigeria. The 2001 survellance survey was 5.44% result graduated to 5.8% in the 2002 survey with the rural(grassroot) areas recording a high level of prevalence.Description: A training workshop for media practitioners in Ekiti State in Nigeria was facilitated by JAAIDS, , a media based NGO for media practitioners in collaboration with Ekiti State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA)along with Department for International Development (DFID) for 45 journalists comprising of media managers, gatekeepers, reporters, programme producers and newscasters in both print and electronic media.. A pre -workshop questionnaire survey was employed to test the Knowledge, Attitude And Perspective (KAP)of the participants on HIV/AIDS prevetion, treatment, care and support and and a post workshop questionnaire was utilised. The Female Condom (FC) and microbicides.Also, the FC and microbicides section caused a quite a stir as they have never seen or heard of the FC less microbicides. The participants took a high interest in other preventive options particularly for women and requested for information flow so as to make information known to the general public. Lesson learnt: This experience encouraged JAAIDS to seek funding to support a national grassroot training of journalists on other prevention options as well as other issues relating to HIV/AIDS. The project is currently on-going Recommendation: Mass media and people at the grassroot very essential to successful acceptability and readiness for microbicides product

Mrs. Princess Olufemi-Kayode
42 Ijaye Road, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria
(Telephone) 234-8023331036 (Fax) 234-01-4925568 (E-mail) princess_opak@yahoo.com