Population Council | Projects | Microbicides: Introduction and Access

PROJECT
Microbicides: Introduction and Access

Population Council researchers are seeking to identify critical issues for building support for microbicides and facilitating their introduction, once they are proven effective and brought to market. Council researchers’ experience with launching new health technologies has emphasized the importance of understanding the social, economic, and cultural contexts that can affect product introduction and use. Access to and use of a product such as a microbicide is likely to be mediated by a complex set of factors, including local sexual practices, gender relations, and patterns of health service provision.

With this in mind, the Population Council, in partnership with the University of Cape Town Women’s Health Research Unit, EngenderHealth, and the International Partnership for Microbicides, conducted a study in 2003 in South Africa to examine the beliefs and attitudes of potential users, providers, and policymakers that could affect understanding, acceptance, access to, and use of microbicides. Study results will help to inform policy, identify both facilitating and challenging aspects of the health service delivery system, and guide the development of messages and product image for communities and users.

A study conducted in South Africa found that providers, community members, and policymakers felt that microbicides have the potential to have a major impact on the HIV pandemic.

Publications/Resources on this topic

2004
"Paving the path: Preparing for microbicide introduction—Report of a qualitative study in South Africa." New York: EngenderHealth, International Partnership for Microbicides, University of Cape Town, and Population Council. (PDF) (executive summary PDF)