Research Briefs on HIV Prevention

Numerous products are under development for the prevention of HIV.  Working with partners around the world, Family Health International (FHI) has been developing, coordinating, and implementing research on microbicides to test their safety, acceptability, and effectiveness in preventing HIV and other STIs. We are also testing whether a drug widely used to treat HIV can also be used to prevent it in people at high risk of infection. The following briefs highlight our most recent work in HIV prevention research.

Family Health International's Site Identification and Development Initiative (SIDI) (2009)

Successful HIV prevention research requires the participation of tens of thousands of women and men at risk for HIV infection. Ultimately, success hinges on the development of multiple international research sites. To increase the number and readiness of such sites, Family Health International (FHI) began the Site Identification and Development Initiative (SIDI) in July 2006.

Inconclusive Results of Cellulose Sulfate Microbicide Trial (2008)

A Nigerian trial evaluating the potential of 6-percent cellulose sulfate gel as a vaginal microbicide was stopped before conclusive evidence could be obtained about the product's efficacy.

Lime Juice Not a Viable Microbicide Candidate (2008)

Women in Nigeria have reported applying lime juice intravaginally to protect themselves against HIV infection. However, results from the first randomized controlled safety trial of intravaginal lime juice suggest that the juice damages the epithelial cells of the vagina when applied in concentrations of 50 percent or more.

Cellulose Sulfate Ruled Out as a Microbicide Candidate (2008)

Final results are available from a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of cellulose sulfate as a vaginal microbicide. Recently reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, they confirm that cellulose sulfate is unlikely to prevent the transmission of HIV and might even increase a woman's risk of HIV infection.

Imaging Techniques May Help Characterize Vaginal Microbicides (2008)

A study conducted by CONRAD and its partners shows that three different imaging techniques provide valuable information about the movement of a vaginal gel inside a woman's vagina. This information may be particularly useful in the development of a vaginal microbicide to prevent HIV.

HIV-Prevention Studies of SAVVY Vaginal Gel Stopped Because of Futility (2008)

Final results are now available for two clinical trials — one in Nigeria and one in Ghana — that were closed early because a low incidence of HIV among the participants prevented scientists from detecting an effect of the SAVVY candidate microbicide. For statistical reasons, a continuation of either study could not have established SAVVY's ability to prevent HIV infections.

Risk of Pregnancy Should be Considered When Designing Effectiveness Trials of HIV-Prevention Drugs (2007)

A recently published article summarizes key issues related to pregnancy that should be carefully considered during the design of trials that test the effectiveness of HIV-prevention drugs. The issues were raised during several meetings of HIV-prevention researchers and selected experts.

Study Procedures Can Influence Participation in HIV-Prevention Trials (2007)

Research from FHI and partners in South Africa and the United States confirms the positive impact that high-quality counseling and dedicated study participants can have on an HIV-prevention trial.

FHI Oral Tenofovir Study (2006)

Family Health International is working in Africa to see if a widely used HIV treatment drug, called tenofovir, can also prevent HIV in men and women who are at high risk of HIV infection.

Research Identifies Factors Important to Microbicide Acceptability (2006)

With several microbicide formulations in development or already in clinical trials, understanding issues surrounding microbicide acceptability is necessary should one of the products effectively prevent HIV infection. In a study conducted in Pune, India, researchers from Family Health International and partners have identified factors that may predict microbicide use and thus be useful in designing strategies for future microbicide introduction.