The Population Council announced from both New York City and Johannesburg, South Africa, recently the findings of Phase 3 of a clinical trial on a formula called Carraguard, a microbicide gel made from the seaweed derivative carrageenan. Carraguard has proven to be effective against the spread of HIV in laboratory settings but didn’t produce the same results when used on humans in this phase of trials.

While not effective in preventing infection from HIV, Carraguard did prove to be safe for vaginal use. Product developers will continue to use it, along with data collected from this trial, in the hope of perfecting a safe but more effective product in the future.

In the Population Council’s trial, which studied male-to-female HIV transmission via vaginal intercourse, one group of women was given condoms and Carraguard gel to use when engaging in sexual activities and a control group received an inert gel and condoms. The rate of infection was almost identical in each group.

All women who tested positive for HIV infection at the end of the trial were given medical treatment and psychological counseling and education. All participants in this trial were from three states in South Africa where the HIV epidemic has reached particularly severe levels.

Research to find a safe and effective means for women to protect themselves against HIV infection is a major issue for the Population Council, since women are more likely to take measures that protect themselves than relying on their sex partners to provide protection instead. Vaginal microbicides have proven the most promising thus far.

The Population Council was established in 1952 to promote reproductive health and well-being for the current and all future generations around the world. It is a not-for-profit organization with no government ties. Its global network of offices includes 11 in Africa, including Johannesburg.