New data analyses provide strong evidence that a vaginal ring developed by the nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides offers women significant protection from HIV transmission when used consistently. The findings were presented on Monday at the AIDS 2016 conference in Durban, South Africa.
Earlier this year, results from clinical trials in Africa backed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health showed that the rings — modeled after those that deliver birth control, but instead carrying the experimental AIDS medication dapirivine — reduced HIV infection by 27 to 31 percent when compared with a placebo. These clinical trials were conducted with more than 4,500 women across five African nations.
The new analyses show women who used the monthly ring with consistency displayed a 56 percent decrease in HIV infection risk and women who used the ring most frequently experienced a 75 percent infection risk reduction.
"We are encouraged by these new analyses, which further support that the dapirivine ring could be an important option for women who urgently need new tools to protect themselves from HIV," said Zeda Rosenberg, founder and CEO of IPM. "While IPM seeks regulatory approval for the ring, we will continue to work to understand how we can best support women to use it consistently, and advance research to expand women's options with additional new methods that make sense for their lives and needs."
More articles on infection control:
Michigan day camp worker with meningitis dies
New drug therapy eliminates HIV transmission to infants via breastfeeding
Whitewater Center where teen contracted brain-eating amoeba infection admits sanitation problems