Trial run for a ring to prevent HIV coming to Africa

Test run on a a vaginal ring to prevent HIV infection has proved successful in the United States of America according to researchers .

The trial  will now be run with teenage girls  in Africa.

In the successful trial, 96 participants  used a flexible plastic ring, embedded with anti-retroviral drugs, which was changed every month over a six-month period.

The participants were  aged 15 to 17, who had not used it before and were sexually active.

It's part of a drive to develop a device which women can use to protect themselves from HIV infection, so they don't have to rely on men to wear condoms.

Reporting the development at a conference about HIV science in Paris, the researchers said they were encouraged that the girls used the ring and said they liked it.There were initial concerns before the trial that the girls' partners would not like the feel of the ring, but it trial came up with an unintended bonus - the ring reportedly enhanced pleasure

Data presented at the IAS Conference on HIV Science in Paris  showed that 

• 87% of the girls had detectable levels of the drug in their vagina
• 95% said the ring was easy to use
• 74% said they did not notice the ring in day-to-day life

Women and girls aged 15-24 account for a fifth of all new HIV infections globally.

Nearly 1,000 are infected every day in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Stakeholders view the ring as a huge leap towards giving  women the opportunity to protect themselves in a discreet manner.