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Abstract BACKGROUND: This safety and efficacy Phase 3 Carraguard clinical trial is being conducted concurrently in Durban, MEDUNSA, and UCT. As part of the exclusion criteria for enrollment into the trial of the Population Council’s lead microbicide Carraguard®, consenting women are screened for HIV, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and cervical abnormalities. METHODS: A total of 7,796 women were screened at three sites. Data were analyzed up to 15 November 2005. Demographic and sexual behavioral questionnaires were administered. Urine pregnancy tests were performed. Two rapid HIV tests were conducted, and venous blood was collected for syphilis screening. Cervical and vaginal swabs were collected for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neiserria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis. RESULTS: Of the 7,796 women screened, 68.1% were 16–35 years old, and the remaining 31.8% were >36 years. 65.21% of these women were never married, and 10.7% were living with partners. Reported numbers of partners were 1, 2–3, 4–5 and ≥6 partners in 95%, 4.1%, 0.53%, and 0.1% of the women, respectively. Of the 7,796 women, 64.9% reported they did not use condoms with their partner(s). The HIV prevalence at UCT, MEDUNSA, and MRC was 18.2%, 24.2%, and 43.3%, respectively. Of the 7,796 women screened, 64.9% (n=5,060) were enrolled, 26.1% (n=2,038) were excluded due to HIV, and 2.6% (n=204) due to pregnancy. Prevalence of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae and syphilis was 10.4%, 3.9%, and 21.6%, respectively. Prevalence of T. vaginalis and B. vaginosis was 16.2% and 30.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These are the first set of data from nonpregnant women at the three clinical trial sites in South Africa. The prevalence of HIV/STIs is in keeping with the national statistics on HIV/STIs. Poster Session
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