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

02463_2 ACCEPTABILITY OF CARRAGUARD® AMONG HIV-INFECTED WOMEN AND MEN IN A SAFETY TRIAL IN SOUTH AFRICA

Braunstein, Sarah*
Morar NS**, Gumede S**, Ndlovu G***, Friedland B*, Ferguson T*, Ramjee G**, van de Wijgert J****.
*Population Council, New York, USA;**Medical Research Council, South Africa; ***Population Council, Johannesburg, South Africa; ****International Antiviral Therapy Evaluation Center, Netherlands.

Introduction: Microbicides may offer HIV-infected women and men protection against sexually transmitted infections, and may protect their partners from HIV and other infections. It is therefore important to understand acceptability of potential microbicides among this population.

Methods: We assessed acceptability during a Phase I safety study of Carraguard“, the Population Council’s lead candidate microbicide, among 20 healthy HIV-positive sexually abstinent women and men, and 20 HIV-positive sexually active women in Durban, South Africa. Participants were randomized to use Carraguard, placebo (methyl cellulose), or condoms only. Women inserted gel vaginally every evening for 14 days, and men applied gel to the penis every evening for 7 days. Acceptability data were collected in interviewer-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews.

Results: Preliminary, blinded, quantitative findings for 20 sexually abstinent women and 20 men are included here; results for sexually active women and qualitative findings will be included in the final presentation. Gel application did not cause any pain or irritation in men. Fifteen percent of women (2 out of 13) reported pain or irritation during some gel insertions, and 8% (1 out of 13) after some gel insertions. Men and women gave the same overall ratings for the study product: 62% liked it very much, 30% liked it somewhat, and 8% were neutral. Few men (23%) and women (15%) disliked the amount of gel they had to apply/insert. Few women and men (between 0 and 8%) disliked the gels’ color, smell, or packaging. Most women (63%) reported that they prefer sex to be somewhat lubricated, but 62% of women (8 out of 13) and 54% of men (7 out of 13) felt the gel was sometimes, often or always too wet. About half (54%) of men and 39% of women felt the gel could be used without their partner’s knowledge. All participants said they would buy the gel to use with their spouse/steady partner if available as a microbicide, and 69% of women (11 out of 16) and 63% of men (12 out of 19) said they would prefer to use a microbicide alone over condoms alone or both.

Conclusion: The study gels were generally acceptable to the HIV-positive sexually abstinent women and men in this study.

Sarah Braunstein
Population Council, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, New York 10017 USA
(Telephone) +1-212-339-0638 (Fax) +1-212-755-6052 (E-mail) sbraunstein@popcouncil.org