ECHO results coming Thursday; here are opportunities to engage

June 7, 2019

The results of the ECHO Study (Evidence for Contraceptive Options in HIV Outcomes)—a trial designed look at whether three specific contraceptive methods (DMPA-IM, the Jadelle Implant and the Copper IUD) impact women’s HIV risk—will be announced on Thursday, June 13, 14:00–15:30 SAST / 8:00–9:30am EDT at the South Africa AIDS Conference (SA AIDS) in Durban.

Over the coming days and weeks there will be a number of opportunities to learn more, discuss the data and work with fellow advocates on what’s next. Read on for details:

  • Register for a webinar, A Roadmap for Results: Understanding the ECHO Study Results, which will be held following the results announcement (June 13, 17:00 SAST). Hosted by AVAC and FP2020, this webinar will explain the trial, provide topline results, outline next steps, and offer key advocacy messages to help all stakeholders understand the findings.
  • Check out the newest episode of our Px Pulse podcast, which features our interview with two leaders from the ECHO team, Jared Baeten and Helen Rees. They talk about what the trial can and cannot tell us. And you’ll hear leading women’s advocates from several countries where the ECHO study took place share their demands as the ECHO trial raises the volume on an urgent conversation—how to empower African women around comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights.
  • The week of June 17, AVAC and partners will host a webinar for advocates to look beyond the trial and shape an advocacy agenda for a women-centered, women-led future of informed choice and integration of HIV services and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The ECHO Study randomly assigned HIV-negative women from eSwatini, Kenya South Africa, Zambia to use one of three contraceptive methods—the copper intrauterine device, the Jadelle implant, and DMPA-IM, also known as Depo. Women received counseling, HIV prevention and PrEP referrals where available. The data will show rates of new HIV infections among the three groups; the study is designed to see if any of the three methods impact women’s HIV risk. A key impetus for the trial was ongoing uncertainty about whether DMPA impacts women’s risk of HIV.

Stay tuned for additional information and advocacy opportunities as the story unfolds!