http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080226/delhi.htm#6

It is for the first time that such a meeting is being held in the Asian region. Indian Council for Media Research (ICMR) had organised the meet. Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss inaugurated the conference. Over 1100 delegates would attend the four-day meet.

Microbicides refer to a range of different products that share one common characteristic — the ability to prevent sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections when applied topically. A variety of microbicides are being researched which could be delivered in forms like — gel, cream, suppositories, films, sponge or ring.

Microbicides are currently under research & development.

The delegates comprising researchers, public health workers, communities and advocacy organisations debilitated over the research and development of an effective microbicide.

The biannual International Microbicides Conference has become one of the most important scientific and networking conferences in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Maintaining global commitment to this effort requires continued pressure from scientists and advocates who are working on microbicides.

The conference allows critical research field to be continuously profiled and developed. It provides updates on recent microbicides research, creates a forum for discussion of developments in microbicides research and presents opportunities for knowledge sharing between microbicides researchers, public health workers, advocates, communities and civil society organisations.

Despite the knowledge of successful HIV prevention strategy, HIV continues to spread at an alarming rate, especially among women in developing countries. Specifically, there are about 2.5 million cases of HIV in India. The prevalence rate of HIV among 15-49 years age group is 0.9 per cent and a mere 0.1 per cent increase in the HIV prevalence would result in addition of 0.5 millions new cases. The use of current HIV controlled methods such as abstinence, monogamy and condoms – males/females are not always feasible. Therefore, there is an urgent need to have other HIV prevention technologies, which are women initiated.