Microbicides

UK AFRICAN MICROBICIDES WORKING GROUP

The UK Campaign has two working groups, the UK African Microbicides Working Group and the Rectal Microbicides Working Group. The UK African Microbicides Working Group was formed in December 2004. The Working Group seeks to ensure that the public interest of African communities is protected and the rights and interests of trial participants, users and communities are fully represented and respected.

Buzz Cafés

Administered by the African HIV Policy Network, the UK African Microbicides Working Group meets four times a year by facilitating Buzz Cafes. Adapted from a Kenyan model, “Buzz Cafés” is an initiative designed to address HIV prevention messages in coffee bars rather than in the workplace, hence, making it an everyday issue. These cafés provide an informal setting for working group members to discuss issues around HIV prevention including:

• Positive prevention
• Social marketing of condoms
• Microbicides trial ethics
• Vaginal and rectal Microbicides product development
• Young people’s sexual health perceptions, attitudes and behaviours
• Social research around gender and education

Staying updated - recent developments

The Working Group informs its members and interested parties of any recent developments in Microbicides trials and advocacy - please see "Recent developments".

IRMA blog - Buzz Cafe on rectal micobicides (4 Dec 2008)

Interview with Professor Robin Shattock entitled 'New Frontiers in Microbicides Research' http://www.amfar.org/cgi-bin/iowa/programs/resrch/record.html?record=59