Microbicides are substances that are being tested to help prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. Vaginal microbicides are intended as an HIV prevention option for women that, unlike male condoms, would not require negotiation with a partners. Rectal microbicides could be used by both men and women to reduce the risk of HIV infection during anal sex.

Most of the microbicides under study employ ARV drugs that are commonly used in pill form to treat an HIV infection. ARV pill formulations can also be used for HIV prevention in an approach called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The World Health Organization recommends that PrEP be offered as a prevention option to HIV-negative people at substantial risk of HIV.

The toolkit provides information about microbicides and ARV-based HIV prevention for health policymakers, programs managers, community educators, trainers, advocates, and communication specialists. The toolkit can help readers prepare for the introduction of microbicides and develop implementation strategies once products come to the marketplace, The toolkit will be updated as the field progresses.

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