The latest findings came from two large phase III clinical trials, in which thousands of women in Africa were randomly assigned — and taught — to insert a vaginal ring that either contained the active medication or a placebo.
"The Ring Study, led by IPM, showed that the monthly dapivirine ring safely reduced HIV infection overall by 31 percent compared to a placebo," said a statement from IPM.
"Similar results were seen in ASPIRE, led by the US National Institutes of Health-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), which found that the ring safely reduced infection by 27 per cent overall," it added.
A monthly vaginal ring that contains an anti-retroviral drug has been shown to cut the risk of HIV infection in women by nearly one-third, according to two international studies Monday.
The dapivirine ring was even more effective in women over 25, who saw their risk of HIV drop 61 per cent while using the ring, developed by the non-profit International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM).
