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

02402 PREVALENCE AND TYPES OF STIS AMONG FEMALES OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE ATTENDING A REHABILITATION CENTRE IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Beatrice Joshua1
Uwah A2, Bankole M N 3
1Nigerian Army Rehabilitation Centre, Oshodi; 2Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba; 3Nigerian Institute of Medical Research

Background: Previous studies have shown that asymptomatic patients with STIs/HIV constitute high risk groups in the spread of these diseases with developing nations highly affected due to poor health facilities, lack of adequate finances and reluctancy on the part of the patients in seeking prompt medical advice.

Objective: To determine the prevalence rate and types of STIs/HIV among females of reproductive age in a rehabilitation center in Lagos.

Methods: Data were derived through structured questionnaires and one on one interview. Sociodemographic data including age, marital status and symptoms suggestive of STIs were documented for all females of reproductive age attending the center for the first time. Clinical examinations were conducted and high vaginal speculum swabs collected for wet microscopy, gram staining and culture. About 2-3ml serum samples were collected from the participants for HIV and syphilis serological determinations. All reactive sera for HIV and syphilis were confirmed with Western blot and TPHA techniques respectively. The study period was from January 2002 to April 2003.

Results: Out of 312 participants, 158 (50.6%) had one or more STIs. Married and widowed (n = 200) had the highest prevalence of HIV (9.0%) with single women (n = 112) having the highest prevalence of trichomoniasis of 32.1%. Candida albicans colonization stood at 42% in 131 of the women, while 9 (7.8%), 25 (21.7%) of gonorrhoea and syphilis respectively were found in 115 of the women who complained of vaginal discharge. Also 7.3% genital wart and 12.4% pubic lice respectively were noticed on the pubic region in 218 of the women before speculum examinations.

Conclusion: In order to effectively control the high prevalence of STI/HIV infections, the use of vaginal microbicide suggests the only viable and potentially useful option.

Dr Beatrice Joshua MBBS, MPH
17 Rev Ogunbiyi St, Gra Ikeja, Lagos
Tel 234-1-8023626663, 234-1-4936411 e-mail belka@yahoo.com