Intuitively, non-barrier forms of contraception increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Studies have attempted to quantify the extent of this risk but their results have not been entirely unidirectional. A group of researchers in Durban, South Africa aimed to prospectively analyse the effect of contraception and risk of HIV and Chlamydia in 2236 HIV-negative women1 who were screened for a microbicidal vaginal gel versus placebo HIV prevention trial.2

All women received risk reduction counselling and access to free condoms. Demographic factors were collected at baseline. Self-reported sexual history and contraception use were collected and HIV testing performed at baseline and 3 monthly intervals. Chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid amplification testing was performed at week 24 only. The primary outcome for the interventions trial was HIV seroconversion before 52 weeks for which...]]> 2012-05-12T04:00:15-07:00 info:doi/10.1136/sextrans-2012-050548 hwp:master-id:sextrans;sextrans-2012-050548 The Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Disease 2012-06-01 Clinical round-up 88 4 313 313