Nancy Padian

First Appeared Thursday, 17 August '06

UCSF Scientists Discuss Impact of Circumcision, Cervical Protection on Spread of AIDS

At the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto this week, UCSF researchers were among the attendees and presenters — which also included former President Bill Clinton — at sessions focusing on prevention and technology.

The UCSF faculty are involved in research separately on the efficacy and economic impact of male circumcision in reducing the spread of AIDS, and on the ability of cervical protection, specifically diaphragm usage, to reduce HIV infection among women.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports, “In Tuesday’s session, UCSF researcher James Kahn reported that adult circumcisions could be provided for about $55 per man, and that based on the South African study findings, that investment could save as much as $2,400 in future medical costs for every infection averted. ‘As male circumcision is scaled up, it’s an important opportunity to study economics as well as effectiveness,’ said Kahn.“

USA Today and KGO-TV (ABC) reported on research currently in progress on the effectiveness of diaphragms in preventing HIV infection among 5,000 high-risk women in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Researcher Nancy Padian, PhD, MPH, said that the study is expected to yield results next year. ABC quotes Padian: “The majority of the infections occur at the cervix. So therefore, if you protect the cervix, you will also block most HIV infection.”

James G. Kahn, MD, MPH, is professor at the Institute for Health Policy Studies, the AIDS Research Institute, and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, all at UCSF.

Padian is director of the Women’s Global Health Imperative, associate director of research for Global Health Sciences, director of international research at the AIDS Research Institute, co-director of the Bixby Center for Reproductive Health Research & Policy, and professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, all at UCSF.

Links:

“Potential Impact of Male Circumcision on HIV Transmission”
August 17, 2006

“AIDS Meeting Spotlight on Circumcision: Despite Promising Research, It May Be ‘Trouble’ to Adopt”
San Francisco Chronicle, August 16, 2006

“Innovative Ways to Prevent AIDS Languish on Drawing Board”
USA Today, August 15, 2006

“Prevention and Technology at AIDS Conference”
KGO-TV (ABC), August 15, 2006 (note: Padian is interviewed in the accompanying video footage, beginning around 2:05 minutes into the segment)

“Circumcision Could Have Beneficial Effect Regardless of Change in Condom Use”
aidsmap, August 16, 2006

“Experts Warn Scientific Gains on H.I.V. Not Enough”
New York Times, August 15, 2006

XVI International AIDS Conference
Toronto, Canada, August 13-18, 2006