http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/099200902110331.htm

A clinical research by medical scientists in South Africa and the US has found that the use of microbicide gel by women can reduce the chances of them being infected with the virus.

"Microbicide PRO 2000 has now given scientists hope. Out of 3050 women who were put on the trial, only 194 became infected...it have greatly advanced research on the role of microbicides in fighting HIV," Professor Gita Ramjee, who was in charge of the research in Southern Africa, said.

Scientists have been trying to develop gels and other microbicides for women and similar tests in the past without much success.

"We currently found out that the gel is a 30 per cent effective product. If we had found a 33 per cent effective product then it would have been significant. So we are 3 per cent less than the level that's required to call it a complete success," she said.

The study took over three years to complete and the participants included women from South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the United States.

"For the first time since the epidemic we are seeing something that would provide an option for women to prevent infection."

Women account for more than half of the 33 million people living with HIV-AIDS world-wide. In sub-Saharan Africa, women account for 60 per cent of all infected adults, Professor Ramjee said.