Today I learned of the results of the MIRA trial which is a landmark trial that investigated the HIV and STI incidence in women using condoms only vs. women using condoms and diaphragms. The rationale behind the study is that the diaphragm would protect the cervix, which is considered to serve as an important avenue for HIV transmission in women. Hence, covering the cervix a woman's chance of HIV infection should decrease in theory. Unfortunately, this long-awaited study found no difference between its 2 study arms. HIV infection rates and pregnancy rates were similar.
However, the most depressing part of the results was that women were in fact GETTING INFECTED AND/OR PREGNANT. It troubles me that despite the fact that these women were educated about HIV transmission, condom use, etc the study found that condom use was very inconsistent and was actually lower in the intervention group (women using condoms & diaphragms). What the hell is going on? This study gives a small peek into how even with education and primary/secondary prevention measures women are still getting infected with HIV.
What can we do?
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