Vaginal practices, microbicides and HIV: what do we need to know? | ICRH

Authors and affiliation: 

A Martin Hilber (University of Bern)M F Chersich (ICRH-Kenya)J H H M van de Wijgert, (AMC- CPCD)H Rees (RHRU)

M Temmerman (ICRH-Ghent)

Ranking: 

A1

PubMedID: 

PMID: 18024709

Published: 

Sex. Transm. Inf. 007; 83; 505-508

Publication Date: 

20/12/2007

Background: The goal of a safer vaginal environment could be reached by identifying harmful vaginal practices and an effective microbicide, thereby increasing options for HIV preventionThe global burden of HIV, its increasing feminisation, and chronic difficulties with development of options for HIV prevention all argue for an intensified re-examination of factors influencing the efficiency of heterosexual HIV transmission. This includes vaginal practices and products used by large numbers of women worldwide to tighten, dry, warm and clean their vagina. These practices may therefore be an important mediator in acquisition of STI, including HIV, or worsen pre-existing infections. Despite this, surprisingly little is known about the effects of specific vaginal practices on HIV transmission dynamics Conclusions: Documenting why women engage in vaginal practices, the mechanisms by which such practices might increase HIV acquisition and how modifiable these practices are, will be essential for the development of interventions to improve vaginal health. While efforts continue to reduce women’s underlying gendered vulnerability to HIV, the goal of a safer vaginal environment could be reached by identifying harmful vaginal practices and an effective microbicide, thereby increasing options for HIV prevention.