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

02350 INTENTIONS TO BECOME PREGNANT: DATA FROM A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A PHASE III MICROBICIDE TRIAL

Ouma, Joseph
Pickering J, Kamali A, & Grosskurth H

Introduction: Vaginal microbicides are being developed to increase options of preventing HIV transmission. While current products are being investigated for both local and systemic safety profiles in phase I/II clinical trials, there are also potential effects of microbicides use on pregnancy, which also need to be considered when an effectiveness trial is planned. We therefore are investigating the willingness of women to delay pregnancy in a feasibility study for phase III microbicide trials.

Objective: To assess women’s reported intentions to become pregnant, prevalence of pregnancy, and the willingness of women to delay pregnancy during a feasibility study for a phase III Microbicide trial in rural Uganda.

Methods: A cohort of 101 couples (76 HIV sero-discordant and 25 HIV sero-negative concordant) in regular sexual relationships were identified in a serological survey and invited to participate in a feasibility study in preparation for a phase III microbicide trial. Information on pregnancy prevalence and intentions of future pregnancies was collected from all women during the baseline questionnaire survey.

Results: Out of the 101 recruited couples, 98 women consented to individual interviews. Their median age was 32 years (range 17 – 63). 94 (96%) women had ever been pregnant. 14 (15%) reported to be currently pregnant and 5 (6%) were not sure. 65 (66%) of the women said they had no intentions to get pregnant within the next 2 years, 6 (7%) were not sure, while 22 (27%) intended to do so. Of those intending to become pregnant, 13 (60%) expected this to happen within the next 1 to 2 years, 3 (14%) in the next 3 months to one year and 6 (26%) within the next three months. 54 (68%) of the women not currently pregnant were not using any contraceptive because they were either breast-feeding, 13 (24%), or reached menopause 12 (22%), while 18 (33%) said they had no particular reason for using contraception and 11 (20%) wanted to become pregnant.

Conclusion: Two thirds of the women in this population have no intentions of becoming pregnant within the next 1 to 2 years, a result that argues for conducting a phase III trial in this population with a follow-up duration of 2 years or less. However, it will be necessary to see how the proportion of actual pregnancies compares with reported intention during the ongoing feasibility study follow-up. 

Mr. Joseph Ouma
MRC Programme on AIDS in Uganda c/o Uganda Virus Research Institute, P.O BOX 49 Entebbe, Uganda.
(Telephone) +256 (041)320272 (Fax) +256 (041)321137 (E-mail) Joseph.ouma@mrcuganda.org