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

02053 ASSESSMENT OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND CONDOM USE AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS IN awassa, ETHIOPIA

Afework, Mesfin

Objective: in Ethiopia, HIV infection rates continue to increase in female populations and women’s health with regard to HIV transmission is severely compromised. Majority of females can easily affect by HIV due to unable to get best alternative method of prevention like Microbicides. This study intended to assess the sexual behaviour and condom use among of your female adolescents in Asawwa, Ethiopia. Methods: the study is a mixed qualitative and quantitative study carried out among sample of participants of female adolescents of family life skills education project recruited through Hope for The Generation Organization (HTGO), a non government organization working among youth, women and children in Asawwa, Ethiopia. 68 unemployed females adolescents age 12-24 years were selected on a convenience basis. A questionnaire with a combination of closed and open-ended questions was administered to the selected respondents and information on adolescent’s sexual behaviour and condom use gathered. Focus Group Discussion and in depth interviews were also conducted. Results: In Asawwa, Ehtiopia females indulge in sex earlier than males. 10.29% of females start sex at the age 12-15 years. However, the best age for starting sex was 16-24 years, which is containing 89.7% of the respondents. The average age at first coitus is 17 year with a deviation of 2.15 years. 54.41% of females had more than one sexual partner in the past 12 months. The best reasons they mentioned were frequently changing sexual partners is considered as adventure, they easily get fed-up with one sexual partner, fall in love with new partners and tend to shift to others, etc. The other reason is that females have received money in exchange for sex. 47.05% of females had performed sex within the last 7 days prior of the last date of collection. 44.11% of females practice sex within the last 4 week. Only, 52.94% females mentioned to have sex longer ago. 28.23% of the females said they used a condom at the last sex. The reason for condom usage were: - curiosity 42.30%, disease protection and family planning 26.92%, family planning 19.23%, and disease protection 11.53%. The main source of condom if they need one today were peer educators (30.76%), family planning centers (23.07%), pharmacy (15.38%), partner (11.53%), and bicycle boys (7.69%). (87.3%) of the females responded that they knew where they can get condom when they need it. But 61.77% of the respondents were not used. The reason for not using condom were 38.9% partners refused, 23.80% they don’t like condoms, etc. Conclusion: Sex perceives as a means and recreation and passing time activity since majority of the young female adolescents do not have jobs. However, condom buying is considered as a shameful act among female adolescents. Advocating microbicides for the young females adolescents to protect themselves against all sexually transmitted diseases including HIV without making them difficult with the enjoyment of sex.

Mesfin Afework, Guidance Counsellor
Ministry of Education, PO Box 910, Awassa, Ethiopia
(Telephone) 251 (06) 20 40 94/20 12 72 (E-mail) mesfinafework@yahoo.com