About Us

The Cervical Barrier Advancement Society (CBAS) launches its website and invites members of the HIV/AIDS and reproductive health communities to join!

This website is a tool for sharing information with our members and with the general public. It contains information about cervical barriers, downloadable materials, images of cervical barriers, and research updates.

In addition, CBAS compiles and sends a newsletter with announcements, updates, and new information several times a year.

Mission

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.

CBAS seeks to promote the following points:

• Cervical barriers are safe, and effective contraceptives when used correctly and consistently.
• Cervical barriers offer woman-controlled forms of contraception that can potentially be used without a partner's knowledge.
• Studies indicate that women in different settings find cervical barriers acceptable as a method of family planning.
• Provider bias and women's misconceptions contribute to low usage rates of cervical barrier methods.
• Cervical barriers offer contraceptive options to those women who need or want to use a non-hormonal method.
• Research on cervical barriers for STI protection is underway.
• New cervical barrier technologies are being developed.
• More research is needed on the social and clinical aspects of using cervical barriers.

History

CBAS, officially launched in June 2004, is an initiative stimulated by an emerging global interest in cervical barriers as contraceptives and also potentially as methods for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs.

Membership

CBAS membership is free and open to all who are interested in joining. CBAS's goal is to create an international, professional networking organization including clinical and social science research groups, academic institutions, advocacy groups, trade associations, and pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies.

• CBAS Members.
• Join CBAS.

Steering committee

CBAS has a seven-person steering committee that provides direction and guidance on CBAS activities and initiatives.

CBAS SURVEY RESULTS

"Important information, difficult to find in a comprehensive and non-commercial form elsewhere."

"There were certain female barrier methods that I was not aware of, and I now have a wide variety of methods to offer my patients."

-- Comments from CBAS survey respondents

Many thanks to all who responded to the online evaluation of the website between September 2005 and January 2006. Survey results are available here. We are working hard to implement your suggestions; as a first step, a new FAQ for CBAS users can be found here.