African Studies Give Women Hope in HIV Fight

After nearly two decades of research the efforts for an effective measure to control the HIV epidemic may be near. Researchers have found a microbicide to block the transmission of HIV. This product is being tested in the rural and urban areas of South Africa. The vaginal microbicidal gel cotains antiretroviral medication that is used to treat HIV and Aids with a success rate of about 40%.

This process is still being researched for actuall effectiveness and may be years before it will become public, but if produced in a large enough scale the cost of the gel would only be 25cents per application. Not only will it be cost effective but it will be controllable by the women and young girls in South africa.

Its not a measure to treat pre existing HIV and Aids cases but its a look into how to prevent new cases from comming into existence. This will decrease the infant mortality rate significantly if women use the micrbicidal gel 12 hours before coming into contact with an infected male, it also gives young girls and women a sense of control without relying on a male, something women of South Africa have a lot of.