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

02338 MICROBICIDES, CONDOMS OR BOTH? VIEWS OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN TWO STATES OF NORTH EAST NIGERIA

Isaac Warnow.Elon
Iliya
Iliya Ishaku, Ralph Elon

Forty-four doctors out of 49 responded to the questionnaire. Thirty eight were (86.4%) were males and six (13.6%) were females. Thirty-one (76.7%) were less than five years as doctors and 5(11.4%) were above ten years.

Fifty percent (22) of clinicians report HIV as the commonest form of STI in clinical practice, followed by gonorrhoea (18.1%) and Candida (11.4%).

Sixteen clinicians (36.4%), 12(27.3) and 11(25%) considered faithfulness, condom and abstinence respectively as the most practical and feasible methods to prevent HIV and other STIs.

Twenty nine (65.9%) of medical practitioners don’t think microbicides when applied locally would be superior to condom in preventing STIs since they may not be effective against the various agents causing STIs. But 29(65.9%) think condoms should contain microbicides to improve effectiveness in preventing STIs. While 31(70.5%) will support the production and marketing of microbicides in Nigeria, Bio- terrorism, resistance and promotion of sexual promiscuity are some of the reasons for not supporting. Microbicides could be spermicidal (27.3%), carcinogenic (18.2%) or cause itchiness (13.6) are some of the anticipated problems with their use.

Twenty six (59.1%) think that microbicides should take the form of creams, lotions (9.1%), pessaries (9.1%) and suppositories (6.8%).Thirty –two (72.7%) would recommend the use of microbicides to both married and unmarried. Fifty four percent report that both the man and woman should use microbicides in sexual encounter. And 22 (50%) would recommend microbicides few minutes before sex, 15(34%) at the time of sex and 5(11.4%) an hour before sex. Although 95.5% of the respondents are not aware of any microbicides currently in use, 31(70.5%) would support the production and marketing of microbicides.

Conclusion: Doctors will support the production and marketing of microbicides and condom should contain microbicides to improve protection against STIs.

DR WARNOW ELON ISAAC
FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE GOMBE, NIGERIA
(Telephone) 234 77 222310 (Fax)   (E-mail) drwarnow@yahoo.com