Facing Questions about Hormonal Contraceptives and HIV: What’s next in getting answers?

In this webinar we learned about and discussed proposed research to directly evaluate how different family planning methods might impact HIV risk.

Trial designs are actively being discussed and funding is being sought for such research—but there are many questions where advocates’ voices are needed: What should a trial look like? How can method mix (the range of available family planning options) be expanded for all women? What can be done to better integrate HIV and family planning in the meantime?

View the full webinar here

On the Map: Ensuring Africa’s Place in Rectal Microbicide Advocacy

IRMA hosted a strategy development meeting on 2-3 December 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to develop an African rectal microbicide agenda that articulates research, advocacy, and community mobilization strategies. The strategy meeting brought together African stakeholders and allies representing a wide array of perspectives, experiences, and geographies to develop action steps for RM research and advocacy, specific to the African context.

Biomedical Prevention and Anal Sex

Cindra Feuer (AVAC) and Jim Pickett (IRMA) presented at AMSHeR’s 2-day Sexual Health and Rights Institute, which was held in December 2013 prior to ICASA 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. The presentation included an update on biomedical ARV-based prevention and advocacy and rectal microbicide research and advocacy.

Africa Needs Safe and Accessible Lube Today; Rectal Microbicides Tomorrow

“Africa Needs Safe and Accessible Lube Today; Rectal Microbicides Tomorrow” was presented by Cindra Feuer (AVAC) and Jim Pickett (IRMA) at the AMSHeR pre-conference at ICASA 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. The presentation includes a discussion on the WHO prevention guidelines; and updates on PrEP and rectal microbicides.

The Bottom Line in HIV Prevention… Rectal Microbicides

“The Bottom Line in HIV Prevention… Rectal Microbicides” was presented by Jim Pickett at the 22nd Annual Illinois HIV/STD Conference, October 16, 2013. This presentation provides introductory information on rectal microbicides as an HIV prevention strategy.

Ready, Set, Rectal Microbicides: An Update on Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy

Until recently, microbicide research has focused on vaginal microbicides. Recent initiatives and ongoing studies highlight the need for safe and effective rectal microbicides as part of an essential HIV prevention toolkit.

Community-driven strategies for the use of antiretrovirals as prevention: United States Workshop Report

Launched in 2011, the multi-national Mapping Pathways project provides a community-led, research-driven, multi-layered synthesis about the use of antiretroviral-based prevention strategies. Project partners included RAND, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, AIDS United, Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, Naz India, and Bairds CMC.

In the latter half of 2013, a subset of the Mapping Pathways team from RAND Europe and AIDS Foundation of Chicago conducted a series of three “knowledge exchange” scenario development workshops with a focus on the United States, held in San Francisco, California; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, DC. The aim of the workshops was to further share the findings of the report and to continue enhancing the community-driven, locally informed approach to the wider evidence base for ARV-based prevention. This report summarizes the outputs of those three workshops.

Mapping Pathways: Developing evidence-based, people-centred strategies for the use of antiretrovirals as prevention

Mapping Pathways is a multinational project to develop and nurture a research-driven, community-led global understanding of the emerging evidence base around the adoption of antiretroviral (ARV)-based prevention strategies to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The project is based on the premise that the current array of prevention options is not sufficient; new pathways to prevention, based on enhanced assessment and analysis of likely impact, are needed to address new infections adequately.

Treatment as Prevention: An introductory factsheet

This introductory 2-page document defines treatment as prevention, reviews the scientific evidence behind it, and outlines implementation advocacy priorities. The factsheet is part of a series on emerging HIV prevention strategies.

Microbicides for HIV Prevention: An introductory factsheet

This introductory 2-page document defines microbicides and reviews the state of research on some leading candidates.