MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti) – New antiretroviral medicine (ARV) that would prevent women from potential HIV infection and pregnancies are said to be in the advanced stages of clinical testing with trial results expected next year, the Independent reported Thursday.
Soon, women would be able to insert a vaginal ring that would slowly release ARV medicine and decrease chances of contracting HIV infection; researchers also believe it is possible to add contraceptives into the ring, as well.
“About 92 percent of couples globally don’t use condoms, so it is important to develop other options,” said Sharon Hillier from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in the United States, as quoted by the Independent.
Some of the world’s top HIV researchers have gathered in Cape Town, South Africa this week to attend the first global HIV Research for Prevention (HIV4P) conference to tackle the rising issue of HIV infection, Canadian CBC News said.
Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, remains the epicenter of HIV infection, with almost 1 in every 20 adults infected. The region accounts for 71 percent of total worldwide infections, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
One of the greatest challenges has been determining how to prevent HIV infection among young women. In Africa, women have the greatest risk of contracting HIV, as condoms, faithfulness or abstinence are usually difficult for women to control, said the Guardian.
