Why Women and Girls Need an AIDS Vaccine

Published: July 2010

Women’s and girls’ increased biological vulnerability to HIV infection, coupled with social and economic inequities, fuel the pandemic in resource-limited nations. This information sheet addresses some of the gender norms and inequalities that impede women’s ability to prevent HIV infection and makes the case for development of an AIDS vaccine as a powerful equity tool.

Building Stronger Bridges: Bolstering the effectiveness of community advisory boards in Southern Africa

Published: 2009

The Community Advisory Board, or CAB , not only represents the communities most affected by HIV-related clinical research but also helps to educate the public and provides guidance to researchers in such matters as protocol design. So what does a truly effective CAB look like?  This report addresses that question and describes how IAVI has helped the research centers it works with in South Africa and Zambia assemble and train their CABs.

Clinical Guidance: Essential Approaches for the Conduct of IAVI Clinical Research

Published: 2009

This document outlines essential processes and practices required to conduct IAVI-sponsored research, based on the specific research and sociocultural context and the needs of the research team, study volunteers, and community. This guidance applies to
clinical trials and to observational and behavioural research studies to ensure that the research itself and associated capacity building efforts and service delivery activities meet high ethical and quality standards.

Integrating Gender Issues into AIDS Vaccine Clinical Research: A Training Manual for Sub-Saharan Africa

Published: 2009

This training manual aims to help improve awareness and understanding of the gender issues relevant to AIDS vaccine clinical research.   It is intended to serve as a resource for trainers with background knowledge or experience in gender issues, AIDS vaccine research and participatory training.

Men Who Have Sex with Men: An Introductory Guide for Health Workers in Africa

Published: 2009

The men who have sex with men (MSM) manual, developed by the Desmond Tutu Research Foundation with support from IAVI, provides HIV counselors and health care providers with the insight and skills necessary to provide quality counseling services that adequately meet the unique needs of MSM populations in Africa.  The manual provides background information about MSM practices in Africa, case studies and training exercises designed to improve MSM risk behavior counseling in the context of Africa. Audience:  HIV counselors and other health providers who work in Africa and have varying degrees of experience with MSM.

Perspectives on HPV vaccine introduction in Tamil Nadu, India

Published: 2009

Based on a qualitative study in Tamil Nadu, India, this brief discusses the information that is needed at the policy level to ensure effective decision-making regarding HPV vaccine introduction in developing countries.  This information will not only help address the burden of cervical cancer, but will also provide a valuable opportunity to learn from the HPV vaccine experience in planning for the introduction of future AIDS vaccines and other health technologies.

Uganda: Estimating the Potential Impact of an AIDS Vaccine

Published: October 2009

This new IAVI policy brief examines the potential impact that an AIDS vaccine could have on the AIDS epidemic in Uganda. This brief was produced in collaboration with the Uganda AIDS Commission, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, the Makerere University School of Public Health in Uganda, and the Futures Institute. Note: Revised version posted on March 30, 2010.

VaxLit Toolkit

Published: 2009

The objective of the AIDS Vaccine Literacy (VaxLit) Initiative is to disseminate consistent, comprehensive training and educational materials on AIDS vaccines and clinical trials. VaxLit translates complex technical information into simple language, enabling us to reach audiences who do not have extensive knowledge in the AIDS vaccine field, such as potential trial participants, civil society, medical professionals and media. A VaxLit Toolkit has been developed and contains a number of resources that can be used for training, mobilization, and advocacy activities. The Toolkit includes:

• Core Content – “reference manual” containing basic information about AIDS vaccine development and clinical trials in simple language and format;
• Training Manual – for use by trainers who wish to conduct participatory training workshops about concepts contained in the Core Content;
• Fact sheets – A set of three short 4-page sheets with key information from the Core Content
• PowerPoint slides – presentations outlining information contained in the Core Content; may be useful for presentations, workshops, etc. to deliver basic information to non-technical stakeholders;
• CD-ROM – contains all Toolkit materials in electronic form, in a user-friendly interactive format

Making Cervical Cancer Vaccines Widely Available in Developing Countries: Cost and Financing Issues

Published: March 2008

This brief reviews some of the cost and financing requirements for HPV vaccine adoption in developing countries. In particular, it examines the cervical cancer burden, characteristics of HPV vaccines, delivery challenges, likely cost and cost effectiveness of HPV vaccination, and funding needs and solutions in developing country settings.

Strengthening the response to HIV and AIDS: Helping make the MDGs a reality

Published: September 2008

This brief, endorsed by 43 partner organizations, examines the critical role of the response to HIV in advancing the Millennium Development Goals as well as the impact that better tools and technologies to prevent HIV transmission could have on the MDGs’ attempts to reduce poverty, hunger, maternal mortality and morbidity and child mortality.