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

02636 THE CHALLENGES OF NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE ACCEPTABILITY STUDIES IN A MULTI-CULTURAL CONTEXT

Vermaak, Kerry
Development Research Africa

Background: This paper seeks to highlight the challenges of attaining a nationally representative, probability based sample in a developing, multi-cultural setting. It aims to highlight the additional complexities of attaining such a sample when the research question pertains to sexual behaviour.

Methodology: South African researchers and fieldworkers working in an organisation specialising in primary data collection were asked about their experiences of in attaining nationally representative probability based samples.

Results: This presentation will report on issues such as the relatively large sample sizes required to ensure sub-populations are adequately sampled and the difficulties of developing sampling frames for such sub-populations. It will highlight the need for community preparation to obtain permission from traditional authority structures and to raise awareness of the research among community members. The challenges of physically mapping households in a defined geographical area, particularly in informal settlements and rural areas will be discussed. The impact of low response rates from particular groups on overall response rate and acceptability of the findings will be examined. Difficulties in obtaining informed consent from disempowered groups and the challenge of unambiguously translating questions about sexual behaviour into 10 languages without offending will be highlighed.

Conclusion: Those planning large scale microbicide acceptability studies need to consider these issues at the proposal stage of their projects to ensure adequate preparation to meet these challenges.

Ms Kerry Vermaak
Suite 602 Maritime House, 143 Salmon Grove, Durban, 4001, South Africa
(Telephone) 0027 31 307 2366 (Fax) 0027 31 307 2253 (E-mail) kerry@dbn.dra.co.za