A new study led by researchers from the non-profit organisation CONRAD suggests that the SILCS diaphragm - a new, single-size silicone device - is ready for a trial of its effectiveness as a contraceptiv.

In the study, which was supported by USAID, the SILCS diaphragm effectively reduced the amount of motile sperm found in the mid-cycle cervical mucus of 14 women who used the diaphragm during intercourse.

However, the SILCS diaphragm may need to be used with a chemical barrier to achieve the best contraceptive effectiveness. When the diaphragm was used with the spermicide nonoxynol-9, the average number of motile sperm found in the women's cervical mucus after intercourse was reduced to 0. When the diaphragm was used with a standard lubricant instead, the average number of motile sperm was 0.5.

The University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Women's Research Institute, and PATH participated in the study. Family Health International provided statistical support. On the basis of the results, CONRAD and its partners (including Family Health International) are currently recruiting 450 couples for a randomised trial to test the contraceptive effectiveness and safety of the SILCS diaphragm. Especially for women who do not have sex regularly or have trouble negotiating condom use, the SILC diaphragm could offer them more flexibility and control in preventing unintended pregnancies.

Source: Family Health International

Call for papers on family planning and HIV

With partial support from USAID, Family Health International and the Imperial College London are collaborating with the journal AIDS to produce a supplemental issue dedicated to family planning and HIV. We are pleased to issue a call for papers for this special issue. Manuscripts are due May 1.

Submissions may include, but are not limited to, biomedical research on the safety and effectiveness of contraceptive methods for women with HIV, behavioural research on the contraceptive practices and fertility desires of women and couples with HIV, evaluations of service-delivery approaches for integrating family planning and HIV services, and policy and programmatic case studies of efforts to integrate these services.

AIDS publishes the latest research on HIV and AIDS and has the highest impact of all AIDS-related journals. This special issue will increase attention to evidence-based strategies for integrating services and meeting the unique reproductive health needs of women and couples with HIV.

For more information about the supplement and how you can contribute, see: tinyurl.com/ah46mt.

Source: Family Health International