A vaginal ring emitting an
experimental drug reduced HIV prevalence significantly among women when used
properly and consistently, according to a clinical trial in four sub-Saharan
African countries.
experimental drug reduced HIV prevalence significantly among women when used
properly and consistently, according to a clinical trial in four sub-Saharan
African countries.
Researchers from the National
Institutes of Health found the ring, which contains the antiretroviral drug dapivirine, was most effective at
preventing spread of the disease among women older than 25 in a trial in
Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Institutes of Health found the ring, which contains the antiretroviral drug dapivirine, was most effective at
preventing spread of the disease among women older than 25 in a trial in
Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Overall, the ring was
effective barely more than a quarter of the time because of improper use or
women who did not use it. The spread of HIV was reduced significantly when used
properly, though.
effective barely more than a quarter of the time because of improper use or
women who did not use it. The spread of HIV was reduced significantly when used
properly, though.
More than 25 million people in
sub-Saharan Africa have HIV or AIDS, with 9 out of 10 children in world who
have one of the diseases living there, according to the World Health
Organization..
sub-Saharan Africa have HIV or AIDS, with 9 out of 10 children in world who
have one of the diseases living there, according to the World Health
Organization..
Researchers said the dapivirine vaginal ring could have more
success at controlling the spread of HIV because women can fully control its
use, unlike condoms, with which men can interfere. The $5 silicone ring can be
worn for a month, does not need to be refrigerated and can sit on a shelf for
five years.
success at controlling the spread of HIV because women can fully control its
use, unlike condoms, with which men can interfere. The $5 silicone ring can be
worn for a month, does not need to be refrigerated and can sit on a shelf for
five years.