What impact would microbicides have?
The potential impact of microbicides in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India: model projections and implications for product promotion
The use of microbicides could help reduce HIV infection rates in India
Authors:
; IFH
Publisher:
International Family Health, UK, 2004
This IFH briefing note outlines a study which estimates the impact of a partially effective microbicide in three urban sub-districts in Karnataka, India. The authors found that a 40 per cent microbicide would avert 18 per cent of infections among clients and non-commercial partners, and a 60 per cent microbicide would avert 35 per cent of infections. Findings also demonstrated that microbicides reduce infection for non-commercial partners of clients in two ways: directly, by their own use of microbicides; and indirectly, by reducing the rate at which clients become infected.
Conclusions from the study show that microbicides could be an important addition to existing HIV prevention options in the areas. However, condom migration (reduction in condom use following microbicide introduction) could be a concern, especially among groups, such as sex workers, who use condoms consistently. The impact of microbicides will depend upon the extent to which women find them accessible, and convenient to use consistently. Recommendations include: identification of mechanisms for review and distribution of microbicides; investigation into methods of microbicide promotion amongst the most vulnerable to HIV; multiple promotion strategies for different groups; and promotion of microbicides as a fall-back in commercial sex, without undermining condom use. [adapted from author]
