AVAC Launches Report on Female-Initiated HIV Prevention Methods

"Female-Initiated HIV Prevention: What Will We Learn From Upcoming Trials?" AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition: The report -- which was published by AVAC in collaboration with the African Microbicides Advocacy Group and the Global Campaign for Microbicides -- aims to assist people in understanding the implications of results from two trials on female-initiated HIV prevention methods. One trial, called MIRA, examines whether protecting the cervix with a physical barrier reduces women's risk of contracting HIV. The other trial looks at a microbicide candidate called Carraguard. The report also provides background data on the two experimental methods and details of study design and targets. In addition, it investigates the general implications of prospective trial results for other female-initiated methods and possible actions to be taken. The report is part of AVAC's "Anticipating and Understanding Results" series, which provides assessments of AIDS vaccine trials and other new HIV prevention alternatives (AVAC et al., "Female-Initiated HIV Prevention," 7/11).