Efficacy and action of the Dapivirine vaginal ring as understood by women participating in an open label extension study

Abstract

The concept of efficacy, and how HIV prevention products biologically work can be complex. We report on women's interpretation of efficacy of the dapivirine vaginal ring and how they understood it to work to prevent HIV during the MTN-025/HOPE study through data collected from individual in-depth interviews. Ten women at each of the 6 HOPE research sites in Lilongwe, Malawi; Durban (2 sites) and Johannesburg, South Africa; Kampala, Uganda; and Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, were enrolled (n = 60). Despite its partial efficacy, women trusted the ring to prevent HIV even when condoms were not used. The action of the ring was understood by most, however, there were misunderstandings around how quickly or slowly protection was offered when the ring was inserted or removed. Counselling sessions adapted to address partial efficacy, a multi-layered HIV prevention plan and how study products work could alleviate inconsistent adherence and diminished protection and further support women in receiving the best protection from their HIV prevention product of choice.