Globally, women of reproductive age face two overlapping issues that have a significant impact on their health and well-being: unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. A growing body of research indicates that the majority of women across geographies, ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds would prefer a multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) that combines protection against pregnancy and HIV/STIs versus individual products for contraception and disease prevention. Currently, male and female condoms are the only available MPTs. A wider range of MPT options will help women select methods that they are less apt to discontinue, as well as increase uptake by first-time users. A number of MPT candidates – intravaginal rings (IVRs), oral tablets, vaginal fast dissolving inserts (FDIs), implants, injectables and microarray patches (MAPs) are in various stages of development.
The goal of this Research Topic is to invigorate continued development on MPTs by providing the most up-to-date research on specific products in development, identifying research gaps related to the field overall, and prepare for introduction into programs and healthcare systems. Our broad approach will cover formulation science, clinical trials, sociobehavioral research, and implementation science to present the latest thinking in all areas of MPT development from “bench to bedside.”
The Research Topic will highlight products closest to market, such as the dual prevention pill (DPP) and the levornorgestrel/dapivirine (IVR), as well as novel concepts in the early stages of development. Conceptual models for introducing MPTs into health systems will also be included as well as cost-effectiveness modeling studies. We are interested in systematic reviews, papers reporting findings from clinical trials or secondary analyses of acceptability or adherence data from clinical trials, commentaries about MPTs, and implementation science research.
Globally, women of reproductive age face two overlapping issues that have a significant impact on their health and well-being: unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. A growing body of research indicates that the majority of women across geographies, ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds would prefer a multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) that combines protection against pregnancy and HIV/STIs versus individual products for contraception and disease prevention. Currently, male and female condoms are the only available MPTs. A wider range of MPT options will help women select methods that they are less apt to discontinue, as well as increase uptake by first-time users. A number of MPT candidates – intravaginal rings (IVRs), oral tablets, vaginal fast dissolving inserts (FDIs), implants, injectables and microarray patches (MAPs) are in various stages of development.
The goal of this Research Topic is to invigorate continued development on MPTs by providing the most up-to-date research on specific products in development, identifying research gaps related to the field overall, and prepare for introduction into programs and healthcare systems. Our broad approach will cover formulation science, clinical trials, sociobehavioral research, and implementation science to present the latest thinking in all areas of MPT development from “bench to bedside.”
The Research Topic will highlight products closest to market, such as the dual prevention pill (DPP) and the levornorgestrel/dapivirine (IVR), as well as novel concepts in the early stages of development. Conceptual models for introducing MPTs into health systems will also be included as well as cost-effectiveness modeling studies. We are interested in systematic reviews, papers reporting findings from clinical trials or secondary analyses of acceptability or adherence data from clinical trials, commentaries about MPTs, and implementation science research.