Spotlight on Prevention: An Editorial Series Containing Expert Voices on Current Topics in HIV Prevention

Current edition:Ready, Set, Rectal Microbicides: An Update on Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy

By Jim Picket

Microbicides are compounds that are being tested for the prevention of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Unlike such strategies as condom use and abstinence, microbicides can be used independently of the sexual partner’s consent. Until recently, research has focused on vaginal microbicides; however, recent initiatives and ongoing studies highlight the importance of rectal microbicides as part of the HIV prevention toolkit.

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Previous editions: Date published | Author name

Reinvigorating Condoms as an HIV Prevention Tool By Krishna Jafa and Steven Chapman This editorial summarizes the evidence on condoms for HIV prevention, discusses barriers and opportunities regarding supply, and proposes ways to reinvigorate the use of condoms as an HIV prevention tool. Condoms play a vital role in both primary prevention and in interventions for the promotion of positive health, prevention, and dignity for people living with HIV. View online	Eliminating Pediatric HIV/AIDS: What It Will Take and What It Will Bring By R. J. Simonds and Laura Guay Sustained research successes during the first two decades of the AIDS epidemic, an unprecedented expansion of HIV prevention and treatment programs during the last decade, and recent global attention and leadership have set the stage for the virtual elimination of new HIV infections in infants in the next decade. View online
Alcohol and Risky Sex: Breaking the Link By Katherine Fritz, PhD, MPH In countries battling the most severe HIV epidemics in the world, there is yet another powerful and under-addressed structural force at play: the ubiquitous availability of cheap alcohol and drinking norms that encourage its hazardous use. Katherine Fritz advocates for a multilevel response to alcohol and risky sex behavior. View online Download (594.46KB PDF)	A Holistic Approach to HIV Prevention Programming for Female Sex Workers By Melissa Ditmore, PhD With recent epidemiology showing a continual rise in HIV rates among sex workers, Melissa Ditmore argues that now is time to develop holistic, effective, and efficient programming. View online Download (724.92KB PDF)
Balancing Research With Rights-Based Principles of Practice for Programming for Men Who Have Sex With Men By George Ayala, PsyD In this issue of Spotlight on Prevention, George Ayala underscores the need for increased attention to and resources for HIV prevention programming for MSM. View online Download (439.26KB PDF)	Reducing HIV Infection in Young Women in Southern Africa By Quarraisha Abdool Karim & Hilton Humphries, MA Quarraisha Abdool Karim calls on implementers to “push the paradigm,” amplifying promising approaches to HIV prevention among young sub-Saharan women. Innovative approaches are urged to further the impact of school completion programs, test and treat frameworks, and interventions to increase accurate self-risk perception. View online Download (323.85KB PDF)
The Astonishing Neglect of an HIV Prevention Strategy: The Value of Integrating Family Planning and HIV Services By Rose Wilcher & Ward Cates Rose Wicher and Ward Cates from FHI make the case for increased attention to prevention of unintended pregnancy among HIV-infected women in this edition of Spotlight on Prevention. View online Download (198.08KB PDF)	Uganda’s Zero Grazing Campaign By Helen Epstein Helen Epstein provides insight into her book examining Uganda's pioneering Zero Grazing Campaign targeting multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships. View online Download (208.96KB PDF)