Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

Login

Remember Me

New to Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

17 Jun 2014

Thailand researches anti-HIV rectal gels for gay, transgender people

Trial tests for an anti-HIV gel for gay and transgender people are taking place in Thailand to find a way to help curb the spread of infection.

This is because current HIV prevention options such as condoms are not arresting the rate of spread of HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender people in the Asia-Pacific region and condom use remains much lower than desired, according to asiantribune.com.
Researchers say rectal microbicides in the form of gels currently under research are being developed and tested to reduce a person’s risk of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections from anal sex.
The risk of becoming infected with HIV during unprotected anal sex is 10 to 20 times greater than unprotected vaginal sex because the rectal lining is only one-cell thick and the virus can more easily reach the immune cells and infect them.
Hence the first-ever study of a rectal microbicide in the Asia-Pacific region that has begun in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
Research Institute for Health Sciences in Chiang Mai University which has been a research site for over 35 major International studies in the past years is one of the sites for the study.  Similar study sites will commence soon in South Africa, Peru and the US.
The objective of this study is to ascertain the safety of a rectal microbicide gel.  Depending upon the outcome of this study, more studies will be conducted later.
The study in Chiang Mai will have 24 study participants. Thirteen study participants have been recruited by June 2014 and 11 more study participants will be recruited by October 2104. The study is expected to finish by the end of first quarter of 2015.
Pongpun Saokhieo, coordinator for this study pointed out that study participants have to be HIV negative and healthy MSM or transgender people and be Thai citizens above 18 years of age.
They should be receptive partners in anal sex and should have had receptive anal sex at least once in the last three months.
If they become HIV positive during the study period, they are excluded from the study and linked to HIV treatment, care and support services.
“Nurse counselors are available round-the-clock on mobile phone helpline with whom they can seek help if any concern arises,” Pongpun added.
Dr Suwat Chariyalertsak, director at the research institute said all approvals for drug-under-research have been received.
The Research Institute for Health Sciences has been acknowledged globally for excelling in clinical trial management and has received awards for best recruitment of study participants.
“We should support trial participants as much as possible because they are sacrificing themselves for the greater common good by volunteering to participate in the research trials,” said Dr Suwat.
While overall new HIV infection rates have dipped by 26 percent in the Asia-Pacific region, men who have sex with men and transgender people remain most vulnerable with 15 and 25 percent living with HIV, according to the 2013 UNAIDS Asia Pacific report.
This is because current HIV prevention options such as condoms are not arresting the rate of spread of HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender people in the Asia-Pacific region and condom use remains much lower than desired, according to asiantribune.com.

Researchers say rectal microbicides in the form of gels currently under research are being developed and tested to reduce a person’s risk of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections from anal sex.

The risk of becoming infected with HIV during unprotected anal sex is 10 to 20 times greater than unprotected vaginal sex because the rectal lining is only one-cell thick and the virus can more easily reach the immune cells and infect them.

Hence the first-ever study of a rectal microbicide in the Asia-Pacific region that has begun in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.

Research Institute for Health Sciences in Chiang Mai University which has been a research site for over 35 major International studies in the past years is one of the sites for the study.  Similar study sites will commence soon in South Africa, Peru and the US.

The objective of this study is to ascertain the safety of a rectal microbicide gel.  Depending upon the outcome of this study, more studies will be conducted later.

The study in Chiang Mai will have 24 study participants. Thirteen study participants have been recruited by June 2014 and 11 more study participants will be recruited by October 2104. The study is expected to finish by the end of first quarter of 2015.

Pongpun Saokhieo, coordinator for this study pointed out that study participants have to be HIV negative and healthy MSM or transgender people and be Thai citizens above 18 years of age.

They should be receptive partners in anal sex and should have had receptive anal sex at least once in the last three months.

If they become HIV positive during the study period, they are excluded from the study and linked to HIV treatment, care and support services.

“Nurse counselors are available round-the-clock on mobile phone helpline with whom they can seek help if any concern arises,” Pongpun added.

Dr Suwat Chariyalertsak, director at the research institute said all approvals for drug-under-research have been received.

The Research Institute for Health Sciences has been acknowledged globally for excelling in clinical trial management and has received awards for best recruitment of study participants.

“We should support trial participants as much as possible because they are sacrificing themselves for the greater common good by volunteering to participate in the research trials,” said Dr Suwat.

While overall new HIV infection rates have dipped by 26 percent in the Asia-Pacific region, men who have sex with men and transgender people remain most vulnerable with 15 and 25 percent living with HIV, according to the 2013 UNAIDS Asia Pacific report.

Reader's Comments

1. 2014-06-20 04:51  
Brr...
2. 2014-06-21 01:01  
Have they figured out what is causing the epidemic of anal cancer in Thailand? With the new rise in anal cancer and other drug resistant STDs, shouldn't they be the bigger worry for barebackers and the best spend of research dollars? You can now enjoy a normal life with HIV treatment, but perhaps not so much without your asshole.
Comment #3 was deleted by its author on 2014-06-21 01:07
Comment #4 was deleted by its author on 2014-06-21 01:04
5. 2014-06-21 21:12  
you may know That HIV can not live upon long exposure on air.
you may regards the gel content as air? or gel based on air.

Gay also should keep holly because this is weapon for Heterosex to prejudge gay.

I have no sex for years, and i am fine.
or if there skin asshole mutation. I am sure if you are really expert, you know how to save gay without discrimination on gay sex.

Please log in to use this feature.

Select News Edition

Featured Profiles

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

Like Us on Facebook

Partners

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement