A new research trial in Cleveland will look at two methods that could help decrease the spread of HIV among women. One is a vaginal gel, the other an oral medication. Both are intended to block the transmission of HIV in healthy, sexually active women. Dr. Robert Salata, chief of infectious disease and HIV medicine at University Hospitals says that trials like this are important because women are becoming infected at higher rates than men.
SALATA: If you look at how the demographics of HIV is changing - it is, as some have said taking the face of a woman.
The trial is part of a larger study of microbicides as a method for HIV prevention funded by the National institutes of Health. It will focus on how well the drugs are accepted by women and their partners, not on how well they work to prevent HIV transmission. If the drugs are well accepted, their effectiveness will be examined in future studies. Gretchen Cuda, 90.3