Vaginal Ring Innovation to Save Kenyan women from HIV Infection
Kemri researchers and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are conducting a survey on vaginal rings that can prevent the chances of women from contracting HIV. which are effective than the pre-exposure prophylaxis (prEP pills) which one might forget to swallow.
The ring is deemed to be more effective than the prophylaxis (prEP pills) which patients often forget to swallow.
The flexible silicone ring (Dapivirine Vaginal Ring) delivers 25 milligrams of anti- HIV drugs in fixed dose and can be worn for a month before being replaced. The research has also stated that the ring reduces the chances of getting HIV by 56 per cent without relying on men wearing condoms.
However, KEMRI researcher Dr Dismas Oketch, emphasises that condoms are still necessary for prevention of other sexually transmitted diseases as are other preventive methods including injections, abstinence, using prEP and faithfulness to one partner.
The vaginal ring is twisted and pushed up the vagina and positioned at the cervix where vagina walls hold it in place. Researchers say it is comfortable and does not with, menses or intercourse.
The study will involve at least 300 young healthy women aged 16 to 21 and are using contraceptives. Researchers say the ring is more popular with older women than younger ones who are not so keen to embrace it.
