Pathfinder Endorses WHO, USAID Skepticism on Hormonal Contraception and HIV Link

[Guest guest]

Pathfinder Endorses WHO, USAID Skepticism on Hormonal Contraception and HIV Link

WATERTOWN, MA, October 7, 2011

On Tuesday, October 4th, the The New York Times published an article regarding a

recent study of links between hormonal contraceptives and increased HIV risk.

Pathfinder International endorses WHO and USAID's positions that the weight of

evidence does not indicate that use of hormonal contraception increases the risk

of HIV acquisition, transmission, or progression.

" There's a great deal at stake in uncritically disseminating research like

this, " Julio Pacca, Pathfinder's Director of Technical Services Unit and former

Mozambique Country Director, said. " We have seen, throughout the countries where

we work, the enormous and harmful impact that this kind of premature speculation

can have on the health of women, men and adolescents around the world. "

The study, conducted by The University of Washington, alleges an increased risk

of HIV infection for women using a popular hormonal contraceptive. When it is

used by HIV-positive women, the study suggests their male partners are twice as

likely to become infected than if women had used no hormonal contraception. The

research findings were first presented this past August at an international AIDS

conference, and were found questionable at that time. The attention given the

research by The New York Times, and other news outlets, has taken many in the

field by surprise.

WHO and USAID are urging for more research to resolve key gaps in the

understanding of the topic, given how crucial contraception is to helping women

with, or at risk of, HIV infection to prevent unintended pregnancies and prevent

perinatal transmission of HIV to their infants—as well as the adverse social and

health consequences of unwanted pregnancy.

" We have seen the abandonment of health practices, like the IUD, out of fear,

when really, such fears are completely unfounded, " Demet Gural, Vice President

of Programs at Pathfinder, said. " We must carefully weigh the assertions of this

recent study in relation to other studies that have come before showing no

correlation. "

In light of the University of Washington study, as well as the public health

concerns it raises, WHO is convening a Technical Consultation this coming

January to re-examine the totality of evidence on potential effects of hormonal

contraception on HIV acquisition, disease progression, and

infectivity/transmission to sexual partners.

Pathfinder looks forward to the findings from the January meeting and will

continue to monitor the research closely.

For more information, contact: Suttenfield, Director of Communications,

lsuttenfield@....

http://www.pathfind.org/site/PageServer?pagename=News_Endorsement_of_WHO_and_USA\

ID_Positions

[Guest guest]

Pathfinder Endorses WHO, USAID Skepticism on Hormonal Contraception and HIV Link

WATERTOWN, MA, October 7, 2011

On Tuesday, October 4th, the The New York Times published an article regarding a

recent study of links between hormonal contraceptives and increased HIV risk.

Pathfinder International endorses WHO and USAID's positions that the weight of

evidence does not indicate that use of hormonal contraception increases the risk

of HIV acquisition, transmission, or progression.

" There's a great deal at stake in uncritically disseminating research like

this, " Julio Pacca, Pathfinder's Director of Technical Services Unit and former

Mozambique Country Director, said. " We have seen, throughout the countries where

we work, the enormous and harmful impact that this kind of premature speculation

can have on the health of women, men and adolescents around the world. "

The study, conducted by The University of Washington, alleges an increased risk

of HIV infection for women using a popular hormonal contraceptive. When it is

used by HIV-positive women, the study suggests their male partners are twice as

likely to become infected than if women had used no hormonal contraception. The

research findings were first presented this past August at an international AIDS

conference, and were found questionable at that time. The attention given the

research by The New York Times, and other news outlets, has taken many in the

field by surprise.

WHO and USAID are urging for more research to resolve key gaps in the

understanding of the topic, given how crucial contraception is to helping women

with, or at risk of, HIV infection to prevent unintended pregnancies and prevent

perinatal transmission of HIV to their infants—as well as the adverse social and

health consequences of unwanted pregnancy.

" We have seen the abandonment of health practices, like the IUD, out of fear,

when really, such fears are completely unfounded, " Demet Gural, Vice President

of Programs at Pathfinder, said. " We must carefully weigh the assertions of this

recent study in relation to other studies that have come before showing no

correlation. "

In light of the University of Washington study, as well as the public health

concerns it raises, WHO is convening a Technical Consultation this coming

January to re-examine the totality of evidence on potential effects of hormonal

contraception on HIV acquisition, disease progression, and

infectivity/transmission to sexual partners.

Pathfinder looks forward to the findings from the January meeting and will

continue to monitor the research closely.

For more information, contact: Suttenfield, Director of Communications,

lsuttenfield@....

http://www.pathfind.org/site/PageServer?pagename=News_Endorsement_of_WHO_and_USA\

ID_Positions