202010 MPTs – Contraceptive and HIV Prevention Dual Protection Technology

Program seeks Council’s approval of an initiative titled “MPTs- contraceptive and HIV dual protection technology”. Adolescent girls and young adult women (AGYW) are at greater risk for HIV and unplanned pregnancies, yet the tools that are currently available for HIV prevention have not been shown to be successful in this population.

Because of the youth bulge, approximately 60% of the African continent’s population is under 25 years of age. Adolescent and young women account for 60% of new HIV infections in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions. Preventing HIV and unintended pregnancies are urgent global health priorities set by UNAIDS. Previous MPT efforts have focused primarily on the vaginal route for both HIV prevention and hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive options.  However, recent studies, done to inform public rollout of next generation multipurpose technologies (MPTs), or to assess choice of delivery modality for HIV prevention and contraceptive tools among adolescents and young adults suggest the preference of alternative routes, such as injectable or implantable for this population.

The goal of this initiative is to stimulate research that advance alternative delivery routes of drug delivery systems for multipurpose prevention technologies for use by AGYW, such as injectable, implantable, or transdermal. Specifically, this initiative will advance knowledge that would result in innovative delivery systems or approaches so that adolescent girls and young adult women can have effective and reliable options that align with their preferred mode of delivery.

This proposed concept aligns with NICHD’s strategic Plan Theme 4: Improving Child and Adolescent Health and the Transition to Adulthood and Cross-Cutting Topics: Disease Prevention, Global Health, Health Disparities, Infectious Disease.

This proposed concept also aligns with our branch priorities: Research on ways to increase the use of multilevel interventions to improve health and prevent HIV (e.g., feasible, acceptable, safe, and scalable strategies to increase uptake of and adherence to HIV prevention modalities) in adolescents and young adults, and the overarching HIV/AIDS priorities of  reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS infections.

Program Contact

Nahida Chakhtoura
Maternal and Pediatric Infectious Disease Branch (MPIDB)

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