http://www.mujhu.org/ The Antiretroviral Vaginal dapivirine ring has is developed to help curb down HIV infection among women.

The increasing HIV prevalence from 6.4% to 7.4% according to Alice Kayondo from Uganda Cares with women accounting to more than half of the percentage. However a better tool is underway to increase bargaining power among women and girls during sex.

Dr. Flavia Matovu Kiwewa, Microbicides Researcher at Makerere University John Horpkins University (MUJHU) elaborated on the usage of the vaginal ring to Journalists during the eleventh science cafe held last week at the HEJNU Offices in Ntinda.

“The vaginal ring is a flexible fabric and contains the dapivirine drug. One has to make an eight and push through the vaginal. The ring flattens on the surface as the drug (dapivirine) spreads slowly.”

“The monthly ring is not felt during sexual intimacy by both partners. Also the penis doesn’t enter the ring, it passes over it during sex,” Dr. Matovu asserts.

Fortunately the vaginal ring has no side effects. Some of the benefits associated to the ring include; longer acting, safe and effective; in relation to high adherence during usage, easy to use. Also it is used in private; one doesn’t need to ask for permission from the partner.

During two microbicide studies that were conducted in Uganda; ASPIRE (A Study to Prevent Infection with a Ring for Extended Use) and RING studies in Kampala and Masaka respectively, were held to streamline the process of developing the vaginal ring to protect against HIV.

The ring reduced the risk of infection by 30% in general while those above 21 years, ring reduced the risk of infection by 60%.Efficacy and safety levels were need to be higher for efficient results.

However women aged between 18-21 years have low adherence to the use of the vaginal ring compared to women aged 22-45years. Different levels of efficacy differ in different age groups. The 18-21 age group is more acquainted with oral PREP compared to the ring.

Also during the study, women were taught how to insert and remove the ring after a month while others were helped out by health practitioners. A new ring was given after receiving the old ring at the health facility.

Allen Kakizi, 47, a married woman testified towards the benefits of the vaginal ring, having used it during the studies held. “The ring is absolutely very comfortable during sex and the other partner doesn’t feel it. She continuously encouraged fellow women to embrace the ring once it’s out at the markets as a way of protecting themselves from promiscuous men.”

Godfrey Musaaizi, a husband to one of the women involved in the study, disregarded any scepticism associated with the vaginal ring.

“My partner used the ring without telling me. I got to know from her fellow friends. The intimacy remains the same even with the ring. The ring doesn’t add to the vaginal fluids,” Godfrey commented.

Lillian Mworeko, Executive Director at International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA), states that there is hope and excitement for the future for women towards the control of HIV. “We need to harness the process of having products and tools ready for use.”

Dr. Matovu says once the ring has been approved and licensed out in the market , each ring will cost 5$, although a subsidised price will be sought to make it cheaper and affordable to the common person after different Health institutions and Ministry of Health fund

The studies were funded by National Institute of Health.