State of the ART for Microbicides

The plenary session was by Professor Robin Stattock from St George’s University. He spoke about the field moving towards ARV targeted microbicides, roll out of treatment, universal access to treatment and how achievable it is, and the globally recession on HIV prevention. With regards to funding he discussed that research on new prevention options will need to be prioritised which will include working towards a more comprehensive approach to HIV and AIDS.

Key points

• First generation microbicides successful but lack potency
• More systematic testing
• More studies on drug distribution
• Prioritise and accelerate efficacy testing
• Prioritising new formulations to maximise adherence
• Development of combination products


HIV Prevention: Taking it to the Streets

The session was facilitated by Nono Eland from TAC who spoke about giving power to the people. She emphasised that treatment and prevention have to work together and not separately.

Key Point

• Access to treatment
• Importance of community and social mobilisation
• Empowering community members
• People driven / People centred approach to prevention
• Ownership and building confidence on success gained
• Trial participants should be involved in dialogue with scientists
• Community advocates must educate scientists on context and challenges
• Building allies and sustaining research advocacy
• Better research and better deliverables
• Combined strategies (e.g. gender, economics etc)

She closed the session with the following, I quote ‘Activism without scientists is nothing; scientist without activism will not go far. We need to collaborate and use evidence-based research’.

Oral Abstracts: Identifying Participants for HIV Prevention Trials

Different presentations looking at participants’ willingness for HIV prevention trials. The presentations were from studies conducted in the US, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Key Approaches for Recruitment and Retention

• Education
• Building Capacity (training)
• Involvement of men in training sessions and workshops
• Different strategies to address men
• Community mobilisation
• Recruitment and Retention (use of peer-educators, print media, market places, clinics, sport centres)
• Monitoring & Evaluation

Assessment Tools

• Community Activity Log
• Prescreening forms
• Review Meeting and reports

Challenges

• HIV Testing
• Stigma and Discrimination
• Partners not allowing potential participants
• Fear of losing partners- trial discovery
• Issues of disclosure

In all the different studies is showed that participants were willing to participate in trials, more involvement of men in training workshops and different use of recruitment strategies. The different studies showed that participants were recruited in different ways for example in the US recruitment mainly through the internet, whilst in Africa more fliers, door to door and advertising in market place. In designing different trials the social and cultural norms need to be considered, need to explore factors of willingness, language barriers, situational analysis and cultural appropriateness.

Mini-Symposia: For Whom and How? Partnerships in Prevention

The sessions discussed developing models of HIV prevention advocacy, creating partnerships with the community and community research literacy.

Key Points

• Build partnerships which are strategic and long-lasting
• Collaborate with different organisations
• Be strategic, resourceful and think critically
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Use different communication tools and activities
• Connect with broader issues
• Community development
• Empower community members with research knowledge
• Provide community members with relevant information to make informed decisions
• Address myths and misconceptions
• Liaise with political leader



Oral Abstracts: Adherence in Microbicides Trials

Researchers from different institutions presented their studies on adherence and measurement.

Measures of adherence

• Dye Test
• Self Reports
• Wisebag
• ACASI
• Stimulated Applicator test

M2010 Advocates Corner

The advocates corner is an interactive space for community members, scientists, civil society members to dialogue, exchange ideas, relax and socialise. The following events have been held:

• Presentation of the Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research and Community Advocacy.
• Launch of IRMA new report from Promise to Product: Advancing Rectal Microbicides Research and Advocacy.