Case finding and case management of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections among women: What we do and do not know

As the world grapples with the HIV pandemic, the implementation of the agenda determined by the International Conference on Population and Development (1994) at Cairo, and the matter of providing health services of adequate quality in an ethical, gender-sensitive manner, new questions are arising about how to attend to reproductive tract infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), among women. This paper reviews the results of validation studies of syndromic algorithms, other nonlaboratory clinically based tools, and risk scoring for finding women infected with chlamydia and gonorrhea, particularly among those attending family planning and antenatal clinics in developing countries. The results raise challenges for policymakers in sorting through what course of action is most appropriate in a particular context. Research and policy analysis for determining the best approach for addressing chlamydia/gonorrhea infection in settings with different prevalence rates, program capacity, and sexual behavior patterns are lacking. The report concludes that simple low-cost diagnostics for use in resource-poor settings are desperately needed

A study of women\u27s preferences regarding the formulation of over-the-counter vaginal spermicides

There is an urgent need for safe, effective, and acceptable vaginal barrier methods for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, and a variety of existing spermicides have the potential to be used for both prevention of STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Unfortunately, very little is known about formulation preferences and the desirable characteristics of vaginal preparations among the diverse populations of women who would potentially use these products. In this study, we explored vaginal spermicidal preparations containing nonoxynol-9 and the characteristics that influence user preferences for three formulations, as well as the risk of vaginal and cervical irritation associated with low-to-moderate use of products containing nonoxynol-9. The report recommends that formulation preferences of women be considered in the development and introduction of vaginal microbicides: the specific characteristics of vaginal products and their effect on sexual pleasure and communication will strongly determine the acceptability—and ultimately the use-effectiveness—of female-controlled STD-prevention methods

Microbicides to prevent heterosexual transmission of HIV: ten years down the road

The development of topical microbicides for HIV prevention originated in response to the unabated spread of HIV despite the availability of an effective HIV prevention tool (condoms), as well as the lack of an effective HIV vaccine. Initially, hopes were pinned on existing over-the-counter spermicides containing nonoxynol-9. Concern about the toxicity of nonoxynol-9 with frequent use, and its small or nonexistent protective effect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), has spurred the development of new microbicides with a number of novel mechanisms of action. Significant progress has been made in the last decade. The microbicides pipeline currently contains approximately 34 products in preclinical development, 15 in Phase I safety trials, four in Phase II expanded safety and preliminary effectiveness trials, and three in Phase II/III or Phase III effectiveness trials. Laboratory and clinical research has been complemented by a growing body of research and literature on microbicide acceptability, harm reduction and dual protection strategies, and potential markets. However, many challenges remain, including the need for a significant increase in investment to accelerate product development and complementary research, and to plan for availability and access once effective microbicides are availabl