Dapivirine vaginal ring is an effective and convenient means of HIV prevention

Interim findings of a HIV prevention study demonstrated a high level of adherence to both a vaginal ring with dapivirine and oral PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in Africa.

The study assessed the safety, commitment and acceptability (demand and convenience) of both products. The vaginal ring with dapivirine is already recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as pre-exposure HIV prevention.

The results from the study were presented at the International Scientific Conference on HIV (IAS 2021).

Approximately 250 HIV-negative non-pregnant young women aged 16 to 21 from South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe participated in the study. Participants took either a monthly course of dapivirine through the vaginal ring or daily oral PrEP for six months, and then swapped method.

Most women showed moderate adherence to the ring and oral PrEP regimen. High adherence was noted in about 50% of vaginal ring users and about 22% of oral PrEP users. Demand varied: about 88% of respondents preferred the ring and about 64% preferred daily oral PrEP.

Only one HIV infection was registered among the participants in the study.

The research team concluded that adherence to the dapivirine ring and oral PrEP was higher than previously observed among African adolescent girls and young women. Both products were well carried and were convenient and affordable.

"The dapivirine ring is a viable and promising new method of HIV prevention. And compliance with both products (vaginal ring and oral PrEP) can be achieved through supportive strategies," said Lulu Nair of the University of Cape Town in South Africa.