How to Prevent HIV Using This Simple Item

A number of African nations are boldly embracing a game-changing approach to the fight against new HIV transmissions — a vaginal ring.

Thee innovative ring, developed by International Partnerships for Microbicides, is made from a blend of rubber and silicone. By placing the power of prevention directly in the hands of women, the rings could revolutionise the battle against new HIV infections, particularly when used together with other methods of prevention.

“Most of the current HIV prevention methods are male-controlled, compelling women into negotiating for their use and application,” said Patriciah Jeckoniah, a Kenya-based technical adviser on HIV prevention policy.

She said women need more discrete methods of prevention, a gap that vaginal rings bridges. The rings slowly release dapivirine, an antiretroviral drug, over a span of 28 to 30 days before needing replacement.

Kenya is about to launch a major trial of the rings, according to the Ministry of Health.

MoH says the country is embarking on a five-year study across six facilities in Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa to assess their efficacy.

“In the face of reduced funding in the health sector, vaginal rings offer a preventive solution. Investing a dollar can save 14,” said Patrick Amoth, acting director general at the Ministry of Health.

He said the innovative rings have the potential to address the disproportionately high transmission rates among women and girls.

The latest UNAids statistics estimate that between 1 million and 1.7 million individuals contracted HIV in 2022. While globally, 46 per cent of these new infections affected women and girls, in sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls accounted for 63 per cent of nearly 700,000 new infections.

As Kenya moves forward with its study, a pathway towards nationwide adoption and rollout of vaginal rings is gradually taking shape across the continent.

Notably, Zimbabwe and South Africa have already taken the lead. South Africa’s medicines regulator, Sahpra, granted approval for the rings in March 2022, after Zimbabwe approved and rolled them out a year earlier.

Other nations, such as Uganda, Zambia and Malawi, have also given their approval for the use of vaginal rings.