HIVR4P IS THE WORLD’S ONLY SCIENTIFIC MEETING DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO BIOMEDICAL HIV PREVENTION RESEARCH

The HIVR4P 2018 conference was held from 21 – 25 October 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Cecilia Milford and Thando Gwetu from MatCH Research Unit shared research findings fromthe IPM Dapivirine Ring studies. Cecilia’s oral presentation entitled “Partners, Peers and Rumours as Influencers of Use and Attitudes Towards the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring: Qualitative Data from The Ring Study (IPM 027)” was well receivedand addressed issues relating to social impact, choice, product use and preferences. Thando Gwetu presented two posters entitled “Participant adherence events: uptake, outcomes and modification in a South African HIV prevention trial” and “Integrating Clinical Trial Participants from a Discontinued Research Centre in South Africa:  Start-up Activities”. The presentations emphasised the importance of meaningful community engagement in the research process.