HIV Prevention : Why we need more options for women

1. HIV Prevention : Why we need more options for women Wanjiku Kamau Consultant: International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Consultant: International Partnership for Microbicides July 6th 2007 1

2. HIV Prevention – a neglected area • Global HIV Prevention Working Group estimated that only 1 in 5 people at risk of HIV infection in developing countries had access to prevention services and commodities • Urgent need to scale up existing HIV treatment and prevention to reduce transmission rates and save lives. • However, even when scaled up, current treatments can prolong life, but they are not a cure. Present prevention options can reduce rates of HIV incidence but will not end the epidemic. • With existing technologies and approaches, the global HIV/AIDS epidemic may be slowed but will continue to grow

3. Women’s greater risk and urgent need for improved HIV prevention • Biological: male-to-female transmission is easier than female-to-male • Economic: financial dependence on male partners • Cultural: early marriage, intergenerational sex and marital infidelity • Sexual exploitation and violence

4. Current prevention is failing us all but particularly women – why? • Current approaches rely on individuals recognising and understanding their risk and on personal agency or ability to control or limit risk • Relies on individuals being empowered to employ various prevention strategies • Is increasingly based on morality as a guiding principle

5. The world’s main HIV prevention technology is over 3000 years old

6. The Case for New Preventive Technologies • One size does not fit all! • Combination prevention is the future • If you increase the number of options available, the overall protection increases (lessons from family planning) • We are not meeting people’s sexual and reproductive health needs. Ever rising number of infections confirm that we need to do things differently – including providing a wider range of tools.

7. Female Barrier Methods • Female condoms • Contraception and STI prevention • High initial acceptability • Large programs in Brazil, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia • Slow uptake • Diaphragms • Contraceptive; STI prevention under study • Use currently low—0.3% of reproductive-age women in the US

8. What are cervical barriers (CBs)?

9. Diaphragms

10. Cervical Caps

11. Why cover the cervix? • The cervix is fragile • Entrance lined with delicate columnar epithelial cells • This layer is only 1 cell thick • Preferential site of infection for many STIs • Bacterial pathogens (gonorrhea, chlamydia) • Human papilloma virus • Concentration of HIV receptor sites • Protection of the upper genital tract

12. Cervical barriers - summary • Cervical barriers are long-standing, safe, effective female-controlled contraceptives. • Cervical barriers are currently being studied as potential STI/HIV prevention methods. • New cervical barriers are under development. • May be a useful preventive method for women who do not wish to conceive.

13. Microbicides • Vaginal product to prevent or reduce HIV transmission • Could potentially be delivered in many forms • A woman could initiate use independently to protect her health • Ideally safe, effective, low-cost and user-friendly

14. Why do we need a microbicide? • Women are increasingly at risk of HIV globally and yet currently have no option that can be used without male consent or knowledge • Behavioural approaches are gender-blind • Women have practical HIV prevention needs which must be met while gender equality is striven for • Even a partially effective microbicide could have a huge impact on number of lives saved

15. Early generation microbicides • Non-specifically block HIV from interacting with target cells • In most advanced stage of clinical trials (Carraguard, PRO2000, BufferGel) • Partial, low or no effectiveness • Short-acting (used near time of sex)

16. Next generation microbicides • Based on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) with known efficacy in humans • Long half-life or can be formulated for sustained release • Products may contain a combination of drugs that act at different stages of HIV replication

17. Delivery – offering choice • Semisolids/Solids • Gels • Vaginal Tablets • Films • Emulsions • Devices • Vaginal Ring • Sponge • Diaphragm

18. Why we need a vaccine • Vaccines are essential in the prevention of epidemics • Vaccines are the only intervention historically to have eradicated communicable disease • Increased personal control over vulnerability to infection • An HIV vaccine should be seen as an important woman-initiated HIV prevention tool • Even a partially effective vaccine could play an important role in a comprehensive framework

19. New Prevention Technologies • Microbicides and vaccines will give people additional choices that better meet their needs in preventing HIV transmission. • In both cases, women can initiate use, and may be able to do so discretely, providing an essential benefit over existing prevention options. • Microbicide designs aim to address issues of intimacy and to provide choice over contraceptive function, which currently hinder greater condom uptake.

20. New Preventive Technologies • A vaccine would not interfere with sex itself at all. • Microbicides may offer the potential for efficacy against a range of other STIs • HIV vaccines hold out the promise of an HIV prevention option not dependant on repeat use for every sexual or injecting drug use act. • A future vaccine could protect individuals from HIV infection before they become sexually active or begin other potentially high risk activities including intravenous drug use

21. Prior to exposure Point of transmission After infection • Preventive Vaccines • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) • Male circumcision • HSV2 suppression • Therapeuticvaccines • Microbicides • Diaphragm & other cervical barrier We need a comprehensive and integrated HIV/AIDS toolkit • Education & Behavior change • Male and female condoms • Anti-retroviral therapy (mother-to-child) • Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) • Anti-retroviral therapy • Care • Education & Behavioral change 4