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Abstract

Ethical challenges in efficacy of vaginal microbicides for HIV prevention (PDF) (HTML) 
De Zoysa,Isabelle; Elias,Christopher J.; Bentley,Margaret E.
American Journal of Public Health 88(4): 571-575
Publication date: 1998

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This paper discusses some of the ethical challenges raised byadvanced clinical trials designed to assess the safety and efficacyof vaginal microbicides in protecting women from HIV infection.The ethical principles that guide clinical research involvinghuman subjects require that all participants in such trialsbe provided available measures known to reduce the risk of HIVinfection. However, this will reduce the ability of the studyto assess the protective effect of the test microbicide. Inaddition, providing extensive services to trial participantsmay be construed as an undue inducement if the study is beingconducted among vulnerable groups such as sex workers or womenfrom disadvantaged communities. Suggestions are provided toresolve this dilemma in the planning and implementation of HIVprevention services for trial participants.

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