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Press Releases
Secure The
Future Funds Research On Post Delivery Morbidity In Hiv Infected And
Uninfected Women
Wednesday, 2 October 2002
The Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine at the University of Natal and the University of Transkei are set to benefit from a research grant totalling R2.4 million. The grant, handed over at a function in Durban, forms part of the Secure The Future programme - Bristol-Myers Squibbs commitment towards finding innovative, replicable and sustainable solutions that will address HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
Secure The Future has to date invested more than R10-million in HIV/AIDS related medical research projects in the KwaZulu Natal region.
The grant will fund a study to evaluate the role of intrapartum prophylactic antibiotics in HIV infected and uninfected women in reducing the incidence of post-delivery morbidity as assessed by clinical and immunological markers. The study, to be conducted at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban and Umtata Hospital, Eastern Cape, is based on the hypothesis that antibiotics administered during labour may reduce post-delivery morbidity in HIV infected women.
Professor J Moodley, principal investigator for the programme said: "The clinical impression is that women with HIV infection have a higher incidence of post delivery morbidity than HIV-negative women. Proposed contributory factors include, low CD4 count and associated impaired immunological function, other obstetric complications and sexually transmitted infections."
"Clear guidelines are needed for the role of antibiotics among women at risk for post-delivery morbidity associated with infections. Although results from studies show that antibiotics play a significant role in reducing mortality and morbidity, the timing of
antibiotic prophylaxis remains unclear, "concluded Professor Moodley.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, 582 000 women die each year from pregnancy related conditions º fatalities that can possibly be prevented with appropriate medical intervention. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries and some of the causes of increased mortality and morbidity rates are HIV related. In South Africa the antenatal seroprevalence rate is estimated to be as high as 32 percent º one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
"A research project of this nature is another step towards improving the overall understanding and treatment of women infected with HIV/AIDS within southern Africa. It is critical that research results and outcomes serve to expand access to treatment by informing public health policy and decision making," said Dr Richard S Wanless, Director of Scientific Affairs for Secure The Futures HIV Research Institute.
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