Who is IRMA?
Created in 2005, the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) is comprised of over 1,000 advocates, policymakers and leading scientists from 6 continents working together to advance a robust rectal microbicide research and development agenda - with the goal of creating safe, effective, acceptable and accessible rectal microbicides for the women and men around the world who engage in anal intercourse. IRMA works to confront the institutional, socio-cultural and political stigma around the public health need for rectal microbicide research, and to increase funding and commitment within this field of inquiry. IRMA - the bottom line in HIV prevention.
Click for IRMA's sister network, IRMA-ALC, which provides a focus on rectal microbicide advocacy and research for Latin America, South America and the Caribbean.
Click to learn about IRMA Nigeria.
Click here for membership information and join our highly active moderated listserv.
Click here to check out the members of IRMA's Steering Committee (SC) - representing 9 countries.
Microbicides 2010
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - May 22 - 25, 2010
Click here for a selection of presentations and posters from the conference. Click here for IRMA's new report, which was released in Pittsburgh.
What is a rectal microbicide?
Currently in development, a microbicide is a cream or gel, or maybe a douche or an enema, that could be used to reduce a person’s risk of HIV infection vaginally or rectally. Rectal microbicides could offer both primary protection in the absence of condoms and back-up protection if a condom breaks or slips off during anal intercourse. For those unable or unwilling to use condoms, rectal microbicides could be a safe and effective alternative means of reducing risk, especially if they were unobtrusive and/or enhanced sexual pleasure enough to motivate consistent use. Such alternatives are essential if we are to address the full spectrum of prevalent sexual practices and the basic human need for accessible, user-controlled HIV and STD prevention tools.
*Click here for our new Rectal Microbicides 101 fact sheet, updated in May, 2010.
*Click here for materials in Spanish, on the IRMA-ALC page.
Sign up for our highly active, moderated listserv here.
From the IRMA Blog
Read this post and more at IRMA's blog - the only one on the WWW devoted to rectal microbicides! Click here and get an IRMA blog widget for your own page.
IRMA's NEW report!
From Product to Promise - Advancing Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy - Click here
IRMA-ALC
IRMA's sister network, IRMA-ALC, provides a focus on rectal microbicide advocacy and research for Latin America, South America and the Caribbean.
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