Population Council Research that makes a difference

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Council researchers worked in India, Kenya, and Nigeria to develop, evaluate, and improve HIV prevention initiatives for hidden populations, including sex workers, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men.

Reaching hidden populations to prevent HIV infection

Many of the populations at highest risk of HIV—sex workers, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men—are also the hardest to reach. The Population Council has developed innovative approaches, including peer-to-peer outreach and social media, to reach these hidden populations, give voice to their prevention needs, gain attention from policymakers, and deliver effective programs. In 2011, Council researchers worked in India, Kenya, and Nigeria to develop, evaluate, and improve HIV prevention initiatives. The Kenya National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP) is using our results to shape program planning for these at-risk populations.

The Council is developing novel multipurpose prevention technologies that can prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Preventing pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infections

Drawing upon decades of biomedical and social science expertise, the Population Council is developing novel multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) that can prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. In 2011, the Council's efforts yielded promising preclinical data on the compatibility of anti-HIV drugs with a hormonal contraceptive, and we spearheaded a global strategy for defining regulatory pathways for eventual approval of these methods.