The Cervical Barrier Advancement Society (CBAS) aims to raise the profile of cervical barrier methods, including diaphragms, caps, female condoms, and other devices, for pregnancy prevention and to provide information about research on female condoms and the potential of cervical barriers to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Microbicides 2010

The 2010 International Microbicides Conference was held in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, May 22-25, 2010. The theme of the meeting was "Microbicides: Building bridges in HIV prevention" through collaborations between basic, behavioral, and clinical scientists, community partners, and advocacy groups. Please see below a list of posters and presentations that highlighted cervical barrier methods and visit the conference website for more information.

• The Duet® cervical barrier used continuously or pre-coitally for HIV prevention in Zimbabwean women: An acceptability and safety study (Elizabeth Montgomery et al.)
• Vaginal practices, gel and barrier methods use among HIV prevention trial participants in southern Africa (Ariane van der Straten et al.)
• Development of microbicide-releasing SILCS diaphragm (Ian Major et al.)
• Combining HIV prevention and contraceptive technologies (Gustavo Doncel et al.)
• Impact of learning HIV status on contraceptive use in the MIRA trial (Kelly Blanchard et al.)
• Preference between precoital and continuous use of Duet® in Zimbabwe (Ariane van der Straten et al.)

New CBAS Female Condom Bibliography
We are excited to share this new resource with the CBAS community. Our bibliography of the literature on the female condom includes the latest peer-reviewed, published articles through May 2010. You can download the bibliography from our website with the articles listed chronologically or alphabetically by first author.

Updated CBAS Diaphragm Bibliography
We are excited to share this updated resource with the CBAS community. Our bibliography of the literature on the diaphragm and cervical cap now includes the latest peer-reviewed, published articles (Updated January 2010). Please take advantage of the resource by downloading it in chronologically or alphabetically arranged formats. Also keep your eyes out for a forthcoming bibliography on the female condom, which we plan to make available in the coming months.

MIRA Diaphragm Trial Results

The Methods for Improving Reproductive Health in Africa (MIRA) trial found no statistical difference in the rate of new HIV infections between women who received the diaphragm plus lubricant along with male condoms for their partners and those in the control arm who only received male condoms. Therefore, the results do not support the addition of the diaphragm to current HIV prevention strategies. To date, condoms remain the only proven barrier method for HIV prevention. This means there is still an urgent need for continued investment and research into current and new HIV prevention methods that give women and girls the power to protect their health. Read more...
Click here for the MIRA Key Findings and Publications document updated in July 2009.

The case for female-controlled methods for HIV prevention has been well made. Women and girls need a range of options to meet their varied needs and protect their health. Therefore, advocacy and research and improving access to existing methods, like the female condom, must continue. Below is a list of articles and presentations highlighting the importance of advocating for greater attention and investment in multiple methods to meet the needs of women and girls as part of a comprehensive global response to the HIV pandemic. Read more...

Most people think of cervical barriers primarily as the diaphragm and cervical cap, but a broader definition would encompass female and male condoms, the sponge, Lea’s shield and microbicides. Cervical barriers are physical or chemical substances that prevent pregnancy and /or reduce the spread of STIs, including HIV. They do not include hormonal contraceptive methods. For more information about the range of cervical barrier methods, see Cervical Barrier Methods.

Sister Kamba works on diaphragm research in Zimbabwe