News / Health
Zim women contract HIV after drug trial
13 Nov 2011 at 06:21hrs | Views
About 127 Zimbabwean women may have contracted HIV during human trials for a drug experts thought could help reduce infection.
The women, who are said to have been previously HIV negative, took part in regional trials for Tenofovir, a drug researchers hoped would help reduce the spread of risk of contracting the deadly disease.
One of the researchers told the state controlled Sunday Mail participants in the Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE) were drawn from groups that were "always at risk of infection."
The trials – which also involved South Africa and Uganda, have since been discontinued.
"The decision to discontinue the use of the Tenofovir tablet in VOICE came after the drugs were found to be ineffective in preventing HIV contraction among the women enrolled for the trials," project director, Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi said.
Participants who tested positive would receive help with HIV counselling, contraceptives and other medical support services.
Project officials insisted that prospective participants signed consent documents making clear the study objectives and the risks involved.
An official in the ministry of health, Dr Portia Manangazira said the Medical Research Council approved the study but was not aware that some participants had been infected.
630 Zimbabwean women took part in the study along with 4 077 South Africans and 322 Ugandan.
The women, who are said to have been previously HIV negative, took part in regional trials for Tenofovir, a drug researchers hoped would help reduce the spread of risk of contracting the deadly disease.
One of the researchers told the state controlled Sunday Mail participants in the Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE) were drawn from groups that were "always at risk of infection."
The trials – which also involved South Africa and Uganda, have since been discontinued.
"The decision to discontinue the use of the Tenofovir tablet in VOICE came after the drugs were found to be ineffective in preventing HIV contraction among the women enrolled for the trials," project director, Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi said.
Participants who tested positive would receive help with HIV counselling, contraceptives and other medical support services.
Project officials insisted that prospective participants signed consent documents making clear the study objectives and the risks involved.
An official in the ministry of health, Dr Portia Manangazira said the Medical Research Council approved the study but was not aware that some participants had been infected.
630 Zimbabwean women took part in the study along with 4 077 South Africans and 322 Ugandan.
Source - zimpapers
