HIV / AIDS - Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) | ICRH

ICRH Mombasa coordinates the new EDCTP Project: Novel biomarkers to measure safety of microbicides Products used in a number of recent microbicide trials have turned up unexpected safety results. There is a need for more reliable safety biomarkers for phase I and II vaginal microbicide trials. Better understanding and measurement is needed of the effect of substances introduced in the vaginal environment. The project will study a variety of African female target populations in four African settings to identify and improve both clinical and laboratory methods and findings in search of more reliable safety biomarkers. The consortium offers the combination of multidisciplinary experience and cutting-edge technology to make this possible.

There is an urgent need for female-controlled methods for HIV prevention. To date, candidate vaginal microbicides have been formulated predominantly as gels, films and suppositories. However, data suggests that compliance may be a critical factor in microbicides efficacy due to issues of gel acceptability and the fact that most gels are coital dependant.   The aim of the study is to assess the safety and acceptability of a silicone elastomer vaginal ring intended as a microbicide delivery method for the prevention of HIV infection when inserted in place for a 12 weeks period. .  

A large proportion of HIV infected persons - ranging from an estimated 15% to over 50% in EU countries - are unaware of their infection, and therefore do not benefit from treatment and may transmit HIV to others, unknowingly. There is evidence that many opportunities are being missed to diagnose HIV infections in EU countries, particularly in health care settings. ECDC has commissioned ICRH to carry out a study on HIV testing policies, practices and barriers to HIV testing in the EU Member States.

The project called 'Integrated Network Combating HIV/AIDS' is a project in Mozambique, funded by the Flemish International Cooperation Agency and implemented by four partners: The Provincial  Health Department of Tete, 'Médecins sans frontières'-Belgium, the Institute of Tropical Medicine and ICRH. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the provincial health system to deliver quality HIV/AIDS services. ICRH is responsible for strenghtening the PMTCT and STI care programmes, as well as the provision of reproductive health services to vulnerable populations at high-risk and capacity building of the provincial health authorities.