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Briefing Papers
This page contains several briefing papers developed by and for the Global Campaign for Microbicides. In April 2007, we have just launched a new series of advocates briefs focused on the safety of microbicides. The first in this series is available below. In addition, from 2003-2004, the HIV Tools Research Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine produced a series of easy to ready briefing papers about their extensive modelling work related to microbicides. We hope you will find these papers useful for your own information and in your advocacy.
The First 55 Steps: A Report of the Microbicide Development Strategy’s Civil Society Working Group
February 2008 
pdf summary
This report provides an overview of the status of civil society engagement in each phase of microbicide research, development and introduction an identifies the resources and specific action steps needed to move from the current level of engagement (which is minimal, scatter-shot and under-resourced) to where we need to be (with civil society engaging as a full partner).
Evaluating Safety of Vaginal Microbicides
April 2007 pdf
This paper explores the questions that scientists hope to answer when they conduct safety evaluations of microbicides, including how safety is evaluated and the strengths and limitations of current methods used. Readers will appreciate the way that the paper explains terms like mutagenicity, cytokines, and biomarkers in easy to understand language. This paper is essential reading for advocates who want to engage more in scientific discussions about microbicides.
Mapping the Microbicide Effort
March 2007 pdf
Mapping the Microbicide Effort is a companion to the Microbicide Development Strategy. When the first draft of the MDS was presented to the Donors Committee in London in November 2005, it was suggested that the Strategy could be even more valuable to donors, researchers, developers, and advocates if there was an additional complementary exercise that would "map" current and immediately prospective activities in the microbicide field against the priorities identified. This paper is essential reading for advocates who want to engage more in scientific discussions about microbicides. COMING SOON...a civil society companion to the MDS.
Alliance for Microbicide Development. Mapping the Microbicide Effort. Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. March 2007.
Increase women's control over HIV prevention - Fight AIDS
2006 pdf
This paper was created by the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS with input from Anna Forbes, Deputy Director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides. It describes the critical need to develop prevention options that women can use to reduce the rising tide of new infections among women and girls. As part of a comprehensive prevention package, microbicides and expanded access to improved female condoms would dramatically enhance women's ability to protect themselves from HIV and, in turn, would go a long way to stop the global spread of HIV.
Are people using condoms?
November 2003 pdf
The authors analyse data from Macro International/MEASURE and Family Health International to examine condom use in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the paper, the data illustrates “significant increases in condom use often arise following intervention activity, with the greatest increases being in commercial and casual sex. However there are generally only small increases achieved within steady partnerships. Overall levels of condom use decrease as the degree of intimacy or regularity of the partner increases. Even amongst those who do use condoms, few condom users achieve 100% consistent use.” The authors recommend both increased investment in condom promotion and distribution as well as increased investment in microbicides to fill the current gap of condom use in long-term steady relationships, where condom use is generally low.
The potential impact of microbicides in Johannesburg, South Africa.
June 2004 pdf
The authors use mathematical modelling in combination with site-specific data to project the extent to which a microbicide will reduce HIV transmission in Hillbrow, an inner city area of Johannesburg. Authors find that a 40% HIV and STI efficacious microbicide would reduce the district’s overall HIV incidence by 9% if used by 75% of the district’s population in 50% of non-condom protected acts. Reduction in condom use following microbicide introduction (condom migration) was seen only to be a potential concern among partnerships with high levels of condom use.
The potential impact of microbicides in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India.
June 2004 pdf
Similar to the Johannesburg analysis, the authors analysed the impact of a partially effective microbicide on HIV transmission rates among commercial sexworkers, their clients and clients' other partners in the Bagalkot District in Southern India. Authors find that a 40% HIV and STI efficacious microbicide would avert 18% of the 5,150 expected HIV infections – mostly averting infections among clients and their non-commercial sexual partners. Similar to the Johannesburg study, condom migration is primarily a concern if sex workers are using condoms with very high consistency, if microbicide efficacy is low, and microbicide use is low.
A comparison of the potential impact of microbicides in two contrasting African settings.
August 2004 pdf
In a similar analysis, the authors compare the extent to which a microbicide reduces HIV transmission in two contrasting African settings: Hillbrow, an inner city area of Johannesburg and Cotonou, an urban area in Benin which has a less generalised HIV epidemic, lower HIV incidence, and lower condom use in long term partnerships. The authors find that a 40% HIV and STI efficacious microbicide would result in a 9% decrease in HIV incidence in Hillbrow, and a 39% decrease in Cotonou. In both settings, the impact of the microbicide arises both from its HIV efficacy and also from the indirect benefits associated with the microbicide reducing levels of STI transmission. Authors recommend further investigation into the STI efficacy of microbicides.
Preparing to deliver: introduction of microbicides.
July 2004 pdf
In an effort to prepare for microbicide introduction, the authors conducted an economic review of the issues related to market development, including delivery and costs, of both contraceptives and other health products (e.g., mosquito nets). The authors compare public sector distribution, social marketing, and commercial provision of these health products. They recommend that, although a mix of these delivery channels must be considered, public sector distribution will need to be a priority. They also emphasise the importance of a well-developed promotion strategy to minimize the potential of stigma, reinforce public health messages, enhance initial start-up, and ensure subsequent expansion of markets.
