http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Microbicide_Study_Sabotaged_By_Low_Use_14157.html 

An African study on the effectiveness of an anti-AIDS gel for women, that initially appeared to be promising, did not prevent infection; disappointed researchers suspect it is because the study participants did not follow instructions and failed to use it as frequently as they were supposed to.

The gel, called Carraguard, is the first anti-AIDS vaginal gel to make it to such a far phase during trials; this was reason for hope for researchers but now, such hope has been somewhat dispelled.

Carraguard was shown to be safe after being used on approximately 6,000 South African women, but it did not prove effectiveness as well, the Associated Press reports. Low use of gel sabotaged the research, with women using it only half the number of times they had sex. A mere 10 percent of the participants said they used Carraguard as directed, the AP reports.

The researchers are optimistic that better results could be reached when the product is combined with drugs or other compounds. As it is, the current research was a breakthrough as a microbicide has not been created yet.

Microbicides are gels or creams for female use, which can be applied vaginally or anally to prevent transmission of HIV. Previous tests of a different gel failed unequivocally a couple of years ago.

"We are disappointed that this trial did not show Carraguard to be effective; nonetheless the completion of this trial is a milestone in HIV prevention research," Peter Donaldson, president of the Population Council, which sponsored the trial, was quoted by Reuters as saying.

"The trial has contributed significantly to the field's body of knowledge regarding product development, trial design, and women's and their partners' willingness to use a vaginal gel consistently," he added.

The gel is essential in that, in some countries, men are not willing to use a condom and so, through a microbicide, their female partners have an independent alternative to protect themselves.