Luyanda Mavuya and Nomalizo Magadla, both RHRU Yeoville, South Africa clinic staff members, take a look at the vaginal and microbicide ring model to see how a ring is situated once inserted into a woman’s body
Photo by Geoff Bugbee |
Women’s input is vital to the development of successful microbicides that can, one day, help stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic. IPM’s strategy goes beyond ensuring that a product is safe and effective: IPM works directly with women to understand their needs and product preferences.
IPM conducts consumer studies in developing countries to guide the development of future microbicide formulations. By creating opportunities for an open dialogue with potential users, IPM increases the prospects that future microbicides will be acceptable to, and used by women.
IPM is investing in vaginal soft gel capsules, films and tablets as potential, future microbicide formulations. None of these technologies require an applicator and hence may be more user-friendly than a gel. However, since these are novel formulations, IPM will collect data on their acceptability to women in Africa and their partners before investing significant funds in their development.
IPM is studying the consumer preferences of these formulations among 600 healthy, sexually active women (ages 18-35) and male partners in urban and suburban areas of select African countries. The vaginal tablet, film and soft gel capsule to be used in this study will contain no active drugs and will be comprised of ingredients previously used in vaginal preparations. This study will be conducted in 2007 and 2008.
IPM is developing a vaginal ring as one of several formulation options. A ring would allow slow release of an active microbicide over a period of several weeks or longer. Although vaginal rings have been used for other medical purposes in developed countries, little is known about women’s experiences with vaginal rings in Africa.
In order to assess acceptability of a ring formulation, IPM is conducting an acceptability study among 200 women in Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. The study is exploring the experiences and preferences of women, and their partners, in using a vaginal ring. The ring being used does not contain any active drugs. Data from the study will provide important information on the acceptability and design of a vaginal ring as a means of delivering a microbicide. The study will be completed in 2008.
View or download A safety and acceptability study of a vaginal ring microbicide delivery method for the prevention of HIV infection in women: IPM 011 Protocol Summary (pdf)
In 2006, IPM commissioned a study of the acceptability of different microbicide gel formulations among women in Kenya, South Africa and Zambia. IPM worked with market research firms in South Africa, Kenya and the United States and with local partners in Kenya, South Africa and Zambia to conduct the study, in which more than 550 women participated.
The gels did not contain any active drugs. Participating women used three different gels vaginally for one week each. They were then asked to rate the gels on a range of attributes – from personal likes and dislikes, on attributes such as thickness and color, to comfort during sex. Participants also provided feedback on the likelihood that they will use a particular product in the future or recommend its use to others. Finally, they were invited to provide suggestions for product improvements. Some of the participants’ male partners were also invited to complete a survey and join their partners in focus group discussions.
The study helped assess the most desirable characteristics of microbicide gels and supported the notion of the acceptability of a once-daily gel product. IPM will use this information to guide development of future formulations.
View or download Product Attribute Study: Results Report (pdf)
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