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Recent articles by CBAS:
RH Reality Check: HIV Prevention Methods for Women

The South African Journal of HIV Medicine: An update on female-controlled methods for HIV prevention: female condom, microbicides and cervical barriers. (pdf) or online

The Microbicide Quarterly: Clinical trials examining cervical barriers as potential methods for prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (pdf).

Articles from Other Sources:
RH Reality Check: Improving the Outlook for Women-Initiated Dual Protection

American Prospect Online: Barrier Methods: Could a redesigned  diaphragm become popular with American women, but also save lives in HIV-ravaged nations?

VAX: Capping Infection: Can the diaphragm help lower women's risk of HIV infection? (pdf)

 

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


Interested in being part of a research study on a new investigational diaphragm? Click here for more information.

The World YWCA Council hosted the International Women’s Summit: Women’s Leadership on HIV and AIDS from July 4 to 7, 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. The event brought together more than 2,000 women and men who participated in a series of workshops, presentations and community meetings. CBAS collaborated with a number of groups including the International Partnership for Microbicides and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative to host the workshop, ListenLearnLead on HIV Prevention Options for Women and Girls. Click here for the session notes and presentations.
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...


More Advocacy and Research on Female-controlled HIV Prevention Methods is Needed

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 presentation 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...


What are cervical barriers?

Cervical BarriersMost 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.


Why is research on cervical barriers important?

Sister Kamba works on diaphragm research in Zimbabwe

The HIV pandemic is affecting women and girls in increasing numbers. Research suggests that cervical barriers may be able to reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV. Click here to information about the research being undertaken in this area.

 
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IAS 2007

CBAS has compiled all of the abstracts related to cervical barrier research that were presented at the IAS 2007 conference which took place in Sydney, Austraila in July 2007

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Event: Global Health Council Conference
Date: May 27-31, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Website: click here

Event: International Women’s Health Conference: Other Borders
Date: May 29-30, 2008
Location: Derry, Northern Ireland
Website: click here

Event: Implementing Best Practices (IBP) in Reproductive Health Knowledge Gateway Diaphragm Forum
Date: June 2-6, 2008
Location: Online
Website: click here

Event: Reproductive Health in Emergencies Conference
Date: June 18-20, 2008
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Website: click here

Event: XVII International AIDS Conference
Date: August 3-8, 2008
Location: Mexico City
Website: click here

Event: Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) Regional Consultation Meeting
Date: November 11-13, 2008
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Website: click here
For information on how to join the network and participate in this meeting, please contact Irina Otmakhova at membership@wgnrr.org.

Event: Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) XI International Forum on Women's Rights and Development
Date: November 14-17, 2008
Location: Cape Town
Website: click here