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Prevention News Archives
Following are links to the Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report (and occasionally
other sources) and summaries from the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention
News Update. See more news on Prevention Research,
Microbicides
and Vaccine Research; and
Syphilis. New
to HIV/AIDS Prevention? See 101 Education. Visit the CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention Web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv;CDC's National Center for HIV, STD,
and TB Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/nchstp.html
February 2008 News
Circumcision in African Countries stirs debate - see two
CDC Summaries
Needle-Exchange Pilot Program in New Jersey Is 'Struggling'
To Enroll IDUs, AP/Long Island Newsday Reports
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=50598
New York Times Profiles Documentary Aimed To Help Parents Discuss Sex, HIV/AIDS
With Their Kids
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=50599
Illinois Lottery Launches Game To Fund HIV/AIDS Awareness, Prevention
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=50550
"Condom Packaging Gets a Feminine Makeover Thanks to
Planned Parenthood Campaign"
Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) , (02.19.2008) Danielle Furfaro
Planned Parenthood is embarking on a new campaign that aims to change the way
women think about condoms. The primary reason for the “Proper Attire” campaign,
the group says, is the fact that many women do not take charge of their own
sexual safety. The condom packaging features an upside-down oak leaf and
brightly colored patterns that could easily blend in on a shelf of perfumes and
body lotions.
“We want to appeal to women, so they will be more comfortable purchasing condoms
and carrying them and using them,” said Blue Carreker, spokesperson for Upper
Hudson Planned Parenthood. “Research showed women are uncomfortable purchasing
and requiring the use of condoms.” CDC Summary
Groups Seek Repeal of Ban on Federal Funding for Needle-Exchange Programs;
Campaign Coincides With National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=50280
CDC Underscores Current Recommendation for
Preventing HIV Transmission
CDC Statement (2/1/08)
An article recently published by Switzerland’s Federal Commission for HIV/AIDS
states that HIV-positive individuals on effective antiretroviral therapy are not
at risk for transmitting HIV to their sexual partners under certain
circumstances. The Commission acknowledges that there are no scientific data
that the risk of transmission in these circumstances is zero. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores its recommendation that people
living with HIV who are sexually active use condoms consistently and correctly
with all sex partners.
"FDA Approves Only One HIV Home Test Kit"
Miami Herald, (02.02.2008)
The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a reminder to consumers that
there is only one FDA-approved home testing kit for HIV. Numerous unapproved HIV
tests are being marketed, the agency said, promising results in the home in 15
minutes or less. Some makers even claim FDA approval or that their facilities
are agency-licensed. The only approved test is marketed as "The Home Access
HIV-1 Test System" or "The Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System." These require
users to collect a blood specimen that is sent to a laboratory for analysis. No
FDA-approved HIV test kit allows results to be interpreted at home, regulators
said. For more information, visit
www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/hivtestkit012908.html .
See January Archives
Summaries
AFRICA:
"HIV Fight Boosts Circumcisions"
Miami Herald , (02.24.2008) Shashank Bengali
Spurred by medical research showing that male circumcision greatly reduces the
risk of female-to-male HIV transmission, more and more men in Rwanda and other
African countries are opting for the procedure.
Across the AIDS-ravaged continent, the health imperative is challenging
centuries-old beliefs about male circumcision. Most traditional African cultures
see the practice as a male rite of passage, but many societies do not. It is
believed that just one in five African men is circumcised.
In Rwanda, an overwhelmingly Christian nation, government health officials plan
to launch a nationwide campaign to promote male circumcision. Here, the local
word for the practice is “gusilamula,” meaning to make oneself a Muslim. Rwandan
Health Minister Innocent Nyaruhirira said the voluntary campaign first will
target soldiers, police officers, and university students.
Many young Rwandan men are not waiting, however. Nurse Justin Gatete said he
performed more than 1,000 circumcisions at a Kigali clinic last year alone.
“When it’s something to do with life and death, you ignore the cultural aspect,”
said Gatete.
Rwanda is being aided by US government experts, who are working with local
authorities to formulate the campaign. Rwandan officials want to reduce the cost
of the procedure, which can be up to $55 at private hospitals, so that most
people can afford it. Officials also want to make sure that basic medical
insurance covers it.
“We’re not going to wake up one morning and have all men be circumcised,” said
Anita Asiimwe, director of the government’s Treatment and Research AIDS Center.
“We need to see how best to implement this.”
Already, Kenya, Swaziland, and Zambia have decided to offer male circumcision in
public clinics.
RWANDA:
"Circumcision Drive Worries AIDS Workers"
Inter Press Service , (02.21.2008) Aimable Twahirwa
Rwanda’s government this month launched a drive to encourage men to undergo
circumcision, a response to the nation’s rising HIV prevalence rate and to
research showing the operation can reduce the likelihood of female-to-male HIV
transmission. Some experts, however, worry that the plan could backfire if men
mistakenly believe the procedure eliminates the need to use condoms to prevent
HIV infection.
“Most of the difficulties relate to convincing men that circumcision does not
exclude the use of condoms during sex,” said Cyriaque Twagirumukiza, a general
practitioner in Kigali, the capital.
Several studies have indicated male circumcision reduces a man’s chances of
contracting HIV from a female by more than 50 percent. One, set in South Africa
and funded by the French National Agency for Research on AIDS, suggesting a
minimum risk reduction of 60 percent.
The World Health Organization and UNAIDS last year produced a report that
acknowledged this positive development but also emphasized the importance of
additional preventive measures.
“It is critical… to ensure that clear and correct information on the continuing
need for other HIV prevention measures is also provided,” the agencies said.
“Communities, and particularly men opting for the procedure and their partners,
require careful and balanced information and education materials that underline
that male circumcision is not a ‘magic bullet’ for HIV prevention but is
complementary to other ways of reducing HIV infection.”
Nevertheless in Rwanda, where HIV prevalence has climbed from 3 percent to 3.6
percent in the past year, the government is advancing the program, and the
health ministry has begun to provide all medical centers with the equipment
needed to safely perform the operation.
"Condom Packaging Gets a
Feminine Makeover Thanks to Planned Parenthood Campaign"
Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) , (02.19.2008) Danielle Furfaro
Planned Parenthood is embarking on a new campaign that aims to change the way
women think about condoms. The primary reason for the “Proper Attire” campaign,
the group says, is the fact that many women do not take charge of their own
sexual safety. In Albany, two events will introduce the condoms this week.
The campaign’s slogan is: “No entry without proper attire.” The condom packaging
features an upside-down oak leaf and brightly colored patterns that could easily
blend in on a shelf of perfumes and body lotions. Planned Parenthood began
working on the line about a year and a half ago.
“We want to appeal to women, so they will be more comfortable purchasing condoms
and carrying them and using them,” said Blue Carreker, spokesperson for Upper
Hudson Planned Parenthood. “Research showed women are uncomfortable purchasing
and requiring the use of condoms.”
Emily Brown of Albany said she used to get nervous when she had to buy condoms.
“Condoms were always marketed toward men. They were always very sexual and made
me uncomfortable,” the 26-year-old said. “It always seemed like they were made
for boys, and that they were the ones who were supposed to be buying them.”
“This should not be seen as a male or female issue,” said Carol Stenger, a
sexual educator in the Capital Region. “Everyone who’s sexually active has to be
thinking about not spreading [STDs],” she said.
Planned Parenthood will debut its new line of female-friendly condoms at Albany
nightclubs this week:
*10 p.m. Wednesday at Café Hollywood, 275 Lark St.
*11 p.m. Friday at Waterworks Pub, 76 Central Ave.
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