Tia IRMA is BACK with her Second Video on Rectal Microbicide Awareness

You met Tia IRMA (Auntie IRMA), a character created by IRMA's South American chapter IRMA-ALC (housed at Epicentro) to create awareness about rectal microbicides in a fun way, in this post from March 2012.

This is the second in a series of videos that will try to explain, in a very colloquial and humorous way, everything you might want to know about rectal microbicides, PrEP and many other subjects.

In this chapter of Tia IRMA's soap opera, she explains to us (in a funny way as always) the basic information about the development of a rectal microbicides.

Tia IRMA sees herself as an activist (and her nephew as a pasivist) and gives us a simple example of why we should advocate for a rectal microbicide. You see,  her neighbor Betty (a transgender woman) always depends on her lover (Tia IRMA calls him a dog) since he doesn't always use condoms with Betty. With a rectal microbicide, Betty can take care of herself to prevent HIV infection.

Tia Irma can't wait for a rectal microbicide to be developed and try it, she wants to have the security and happiness when se gets wild on the back…

Besos Negros from Tia IRMA!

[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

POZ love for IRMA - The Anal Dialogues

The July/August 2011 issue of POZ Magazine belongs to IRMA and rectal microbicides. Check it out for a nice history of our work and a snapshot of the science, including important information on lubricant safety.

via POZ.com, by Trenton Straub

Excerpt:

Perhaps IRMA’s most visible work is three game-changing reports it published in conjunction with the biennial International Microbicides Conference. The first, Rectal Microbicides: Investments & Advocacy in 2006, compiled what research was being done and where—a tricky task. “A lot of researchers were concerned that if ‘anal’ or ‘rectal’ appeared in research proposals or reports, they wouldn’t get funded, so they’d scrub their papers so those words wouldn’t show up,” LeBlanc says. “Instead, they would refer to ‘topical use of products’ or other language.” And because of the dangers surrounding the subject—male-to-male sex is illegal in many countries, including 31 in sub-Saharan Africa—IRMA first had to gain researchers’ trust, proving they were not raging advocates who would alienate and antagonize. Their professionalism paid off, and the report was a hit. “It showed we were serious,” Pickett says, “and we got hundreds of new members.” 


Read the rest.

[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate: Gerald Díaz Panduro

via IRMA

Panduro is a psychologist from Huánuco, Perú that focuses on HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS.

While recruiting participants for a UCLA rectal microbicide study in Lima, Panduro stumbled upon IRMA-ALC, which had also been involved with the study. Since then, Panduro has been spreading the word about rectal microbicides and raising interest in the hopes that a rectal microbicide study might take place in Perú.

Panduro believes that once there is an effective microbicide available, when it's combined with condoms it will be the best tool to fight HIV/AIDS.

Panduro also enjoys going to the movies and photography.

Read about other friendly rectal microbicides advocates

Learn more about IRMA membership

[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicides Advocate: Gabriela Huamán Vargas

via IRMA

Vargas, a web developer from Lima, Perú , became involved with IRMA via IRMA-ALC.  She truly understands what a powerful tool rectal microbicides will be for women, MSM and transgendered people, and the impact rectal microbicides will have in situations where an individual can’t openly ask their partner to use a condom because of stigma or social conditions.

Vargas hopes to develop an internet site for Latin American users that can serve as a resource to learn about microbicides, and also provide important information about HIV/AIDS. She also hopes to involve the medical community of Lima in the rectal microbicide field, making Latin America a larger contributor to microbicide research.

Vargas also works with “Un techo para mí país,” an organization that provides housing for families in extreme poverty, and enjoys surfing the internet and seeing movies.

Read about other friendly rectal microbicides advocates

Learn more about IRMA membership

[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

IRMA's South American Chapter Celebrates Our New Report

by Steve Miralles of IRMA-ALC

Last Friday September 24 the Spanish version of IRMA's latest report - From Promise to Product: Advancing Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy - was officially presented in Lima, Peru at Epicentro - a social organization that provides information about sexual and holistic health, as well as cultural activities, to the gay community in Lima. Epicentro is also the home of IRMA-ALC (América Latina y El Caribe.)

In this event we had the participation of doctors, psychologists, persons from trans groups, representatives of PLWHA groups, researchers, activists, IRMA members and general public interested in learning about rectal microbicides and its perspectives in Latin America.

For those wishing to obtain a printed copy of the report in Spanish (De la Promesa al Producto: Avanzando en la Investigación y Promoción de los Microbicidas Rectales) can communicate by mail irma-alc@epicentro.org.pe , or you can download it in Spanish on the IRMA-ALC page of the IRMA website.

Visit IRMA-ALC on Facebook.





Este viernes 24 de septiembre fue presentado en Lima, Perú en Epicentro (un espacio de socialización en Lima, donde se brindaran servicios e información sobre salud sexual y mental, además de fomentar actividades culturales) el informe realizado por IRMA e IRMA-LAC (América Latina y El Caribe), De la Promesa al Producto: Avanzando en la Investigación y Promoción de los Microbicidas Rectales.

En este evento contamos con la participación de médicos, psicólogos, representantes de grupos trans, representantes de grupos de PVVS, investigadores, activistas, representantes de IRMA y público en general, interesados en conocer el panorama en Latinoamérica de microbicidas rectales.

Para quien desee obtener una copia de dicho informe en español puede comunicarse al correo irma-alc@epicentro.org.pe , o si desea, puede obtener el informe en pdf aqui.

IRMA-LAC en Facebook.

Today in Lima - Rectal Microbicide Advocacy in Action at Epicentro

IRMA-ALC (América Latina y El Caribe)  has teamed up with Epicentro Gay men's community center in Lima, Peru to provide information on Rectal Microbicides at the  "International Course on HIV Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment."

This two day course, happening even as this blog is typed, was organized by IRMA-ALC co-founding organization Impacta,  has drawn experts from throughout the America's including IRMA Steering Committee members Jorge Sánchez, Ian McGowan and Jerome Galea.

Read Menos Silencio, Más Ciencia (IRMA's 2008 report - translated from the English version.)

IRMA ALC announces "Acceptability of Rectal Microbicides (RM): Barriers and facilitators of RM use among MSM in 4 South American Cities"

English:

IRMA-ALC (America Latina y el Caribe) founding members Jerome Galea (UCLA Program in Public Health, Latin America); Jórge Sánchez (INMENSA - Peru), Orlando Montoya (Equidad – Ecuador) and Beatriz Grinsztejn (Fiocruz – Brazil) are excited to announce funding received from the UCLA AIDS Institute and the UCLA Center for AIDS Research for a new project entitled, “Acceptability of Rectal Microbicides (RM): Barriers and facilitators of RM use among men who have sex with men in 4 South American Cities.”

This study will be the first of its kind to systematically explore RM in the region among diverse populations including both gay and non-gay identified men who have sex with men, sex workers and transgendered persons. The study will take place in Lima and Iquitos Peru; Guayaquil, Ecuador; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will involve key-informant interviews, one-on-one in depth interviews, focus groups and conjoint analysis (a quantitative method that helps to understand consumer preferences) to assess the acceptability of using RM and willingness to participate in and feasibility of future RM clinical trials.

The project will also examine culture-specific customs, beliefs, and stigma related to anal sex. In all up to 256 people will participate.

Galea said, “We hope that the data collected in this study will provide the foundation for a future, larger research agenda leading to the development of RM clinical trials in the region, as well as expanded acceptability studies, specifically with respect to RM delivery devices which will be critical in preparing for adequate roll-out and dissemination of RM.

en español:

Los miembros fundadores de IRMA-LAC, Jerome Galea (Programa de Salud Pública de la UCLA en América Latina), Jorge Sánchez (INMENSA – Perú), Orlando Montoya (Equidad - Ecuador) y Beatriz Grinsztejn (Fiocruz - Brasil) se complacen en anunciar el financiamiento recibido del Instituto de Sida de la UCLA y el Centro para la Investigación en Sida de la UCLA para un nuevo proyecto titulado “Aceptabilidad de los Microbicidas Rectales (MR): Barreras y Facilitadores para el Uso de MR entre Hombres que Tienen Sexo con Hombres en 4 Ciudades de Sudamérica”.

Este estudio será el primero en su tipo en explorar sistemáticamente el uso de MR en la Región en diversas poblaciones, incluyendo a hombres que tienen sexo con hombres con y sin identidad gay, trabajadores sexuales y personas transgénero. El estudio será realizado en Lima e Iquitos, Perú; Guayaquil, Ecuador; y Río de Janeiro, Brasil, e incluirá entrevistas con informantes clave, entrevistas en profundidad, grupos focales y un análisis conjunto (que involucra el empleo de un método cuantitativo que ayudará a entender las preferencias de los usuarios), para evaluar la aceptabilidad del uso de MR, la viabilidad de futuros ensayos clínicos de MR, y la voluntad de las personas para participar en ellos.

El proyecto examinará también las costumbres específicas a la cultura, creencias y estigma relacionado con el sexo anal. En total, participarán hasta 256 personas.

Al respecto, Galea señaló: “Esperamos que los datos recolectados en este estudio sienten las bases para una agenda de investigación posterior de mayor envergadura, que conduzca al desarrollo de ensayos clínicos de MR en la Región, así como a estudios de aceptabilidad mayores, específicamente sobre los dispositivos de aplicación de MR, estudios que serán cruciales en la preparación de la implementación y diseminación de los MR.

Haz un clic and learn, baby, learn

IRMA Steering Committee Member and IRMA-ALC Chair Jerome T. Galea gave the following presentation in Lima the end of November. Click the image to download his excellent slides - in Spanish.


All IRMA members are encouraged to share their presentations with our vast network. Please send yours to Jim Pickett, IRMA Chair.

Find other useful Spanish-language materials on the IRMA-ALC page.

IRMA in Action - Update and pix from the "Invisible Men" pre-conference in Mexico City

It was a bit of a travel nightmare for IRMA´s Jim Pickett.

Just because he was scheduled to arrive in Mexico City in the late evening of Thursday, July 31 - to be ready to participate and present at the "Invisible Men" pre-conference the following morning - did not make it so. Numerous nail-biting delays and narrowly missed connections meant he was not to arrive in Mexico City until 2pm on Friday, well after the IRMA presentation was supposed to have occurred. Thankfully, the wonderful organizers of the pre-conference (The Global Forum on MSM and HIV) changed the timing of the IRMA workshop for 3:30pm to allow for Pickett´s participation. When he finally arrived at the Sheraton Maria Isabel at 3:45, breathless, unkempt, under-rested and over-caffeinated - anything for attention! - IRMA co-presenters and all around Rectal Superstars Jeremy Kwan, Lanre Onigbogi and Jerry Galea had already gotten the presentation started.

Despite the drama - it ended up being a great workshop - if we must say so ourselves - with some really thoughtful questions from the 30 or so diverse participants - including concerns around ARV-based microbicides, the tension between the vaginal and rectal portions of the field, and how we best determine safety. We hope everyone who joined us for this workshop will go to the IRMA website and sign up to be a part of our expaning rectal empire!

Olivia from TheBody.com was there audio taping the whole thing - so when the link goes live, we will let you know. Thanks Olivia!

A highlight of the workshop (see an earlier post for all the slides), was the official, thrilling unveiling of the translated IRMA report - "Menos Silencio, Más Ciencia"- spearheaded by IRMA-ALC. Hard copies are being distributed at the International AIDS Conference which officially kicks off tomorrow.

It was a real delight to see so many friends from all over the world, IRMA members new and old, to put faces to names we have known for some time, and to meet new, aspiring rectal microbicide advocates!

¡VIVA IRMA!

IRMA Releases New Publication - "Menos Silencio, Más Ciencia"

Translated Document to
Enhance Rectal Microbicide Advocacy
in the Spanish-Speaking World

Friday, August 1, 2008

Mexico City, Mexico – International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) released "Menos Silencio, Más Ciencia" in Mexico City today at a presentation preceding the 17th International AIDS Conference.

This Spanish language version of IRMA’s February 2008 publication "Less Silence, More Science" serves as an authoritative reference on recent developments and current efforts in rectal microbicide research. The groundbreaking report describes global challenges, advocacy goals, and key strategies to advance scientific discovery on topical rectal products which confer protection against HIV transmission. As HIV incidence and prevalence increase globally, this document aims to promote the research and development of rectal microbicides among the more than 300 million native Spanish speakers worldwide.

As indicated by the publication’s title, anal intercourse remains largely stigmatized, even in medical and scientific research surrounding HIV prevention and care. This silence results in the reduction of critical discussion and study on the topic. Socio-cultural taboos surrounding anal sex restrict scientific advancements in many places, and Latin America the Caribbean and South America are no exception.

Read the full release in the News section of the IRMA website.

Making Anal Sex Safer for MSM in the Developing World

The Invisible Men: Gay Men and Other MSM in the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic is the exciting pre-conference for MSM prior to the 2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. It is being put on by the Global Forum for MSM and HIV.

Click here for the pre-conference program.

Dates: August 1-2, 2008
Location: Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel & Towers
Paseo de la Reforma, 325 Col. Cuauhtemoc
Mexico City, Mexico

IRMA is delighted to be presenting our workshop - Making Anal Sex Safer for MSM in the Developing World - on Friday, August 1, 12:00 – 1:30 PM.

Speakers:

Jim Pickett, AIDS Foundation Chicago/International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA), United States

Jeremy Wing Kien Kwan, PT Foundation Pink Triangle/MSM Programme (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Olanrewaju Onigbogi, University College Hospital (Ibadan, Nigeria)

Dr. Javier Lama, IRMA – America Latina y el Caribe (Lima, Peru)


Abstract:

The notion that gay men and MSM are strictly a Western phenomenon is patently false. Gay men and other men who have sex with men exist throughout the developing world, despite official denial and cultural stigma and shame that results in catastrophically low levels of HIV prevention funding for these communities. Unprotected anal intercourse is an extraordinarily efficient means of HIV transmission, and more user-controlled methods of protection are needed for gay and MSM that go beyond latex, fidelity and abstinence. International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) works to advance the research and development of safe, effective and acceptable rectal microbicides for all the men, and women, around the world who engage in anal intercourse. IRMA members from the developing world (IRMA’s 600+ membership hails from 50 countries) will share the latest rectal microbicide research, highlight key finding in the new IRMA report, ‘Less Silence, More Science”, and discuss global advocacy efforts to engage gay and MSM.

[Slides for this presentation will be available right here, on the only blog in the WWW devoted to rectal microbicides. Check back after August 1.]

News of IRMA-ALC Spreads Around the Globe!

da la bienvenida a

In its latest issue of GC News, which reaches an audience of nearly 1,000 people from around the world, the Global Campaign for Microbicides spreads the good news about the creation of IRMA-ALC (América latina y El Caribe).

Check the GCM web site to read the latest issue of GC News and to get microbicides resources in Spanish.

Visiten la página web de GCM para leer la última edición de GC News y para obtener algunos recursos en español sobre los microbicidas.

From GC News:

Advocacy in Action: New Rectal Microbicides Network in Latin America and the Caribbean

International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) is very excited to share an important development for global rectal microbicides advocacy efforts. A new sister network has been created - IRMA-ALC (América Latina y El Caribe) - which will focus on rectal microbicide advocacy and research efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean.

IRMA-ALC has been formed by members in Peru, Ecuador and Brazil, who are co-chairs of the new network, including:

- Jerome Galea from the UCLA Program in Global Health in Peru and IRMA Steering Committee member
- Dr. Javier and Dr. Jorge Sánchez from Investigaciones médicas en salud (INMENSA), a health research institute in Peru
- Beatrice Grinsztejn, Valdilea Veloso and José Henrique Pilotto from FIOCRUZ, a public health institute in Brazil
- Orlando Monotya from EQUIDAD, a gay, lesbian, bisexual organization in Ecuador

"Although there is evidence of high frequency of anal sex among both men and women in Latin America, there is little interest in implementing clinical trials for rectal microbicides in the region", according to IRMA-ALC co-chair Dr. Jorge Sánchez. "The Latin American chapter of IRMA will advocate for a critical look at various opportunities for rectal microbicides research and push for its development in the region. We also want to facilitate the process for integrating these HIV prevention research efforts at a regional level, while instigating South-South collaboration." (original quote in Spanish can be accessed here.)

IRMA-ALC has a logo and new page on the IRMA web site. They will disseminate information in Spanish, and perhaps eventually in Portuguese. There is now a Spanish-language listserv that members can join from the web site.

"In all of Latin America and the Caribbean, there are only two microbicide clinical trials underway, one in the Dominican Republic and the other in Puerto Rico; both are for vaginal products. These studies represent important steps in the advancement of microbicide research", said Jerome Galea. "Together with IRMA, IRMA-ALC provides a framework for citizens, advocates and scientists from countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to put rectal microbicides on the regional map by disseminating information in local languages and promoting their culturally competent research and development."

"This wonderful development is another indication of the success IRMA is having collaborating with researchers and advocates around the world to spur global advocacy for rectal microbicide research and development. I am delighted that IRMA has a new sister, and love watching our family grow," said Jim Pickett, IRMA Chair.

A New Look at Sexual Prevention of HIV

Our good friends at Planeta Salud have produced a thoughtful article on placing new prevention technologies in the larger context of sexual well-being, and calling for a re-thinking of the traditional HIV prevention paradigm. Don't forget to visit our new web page for IRMA-ALC: IRMA América Latina y El Caribe for more resources in Spanish!

Una nueva mirada sobre la prevención sexual del VIH/SIDA

Autora: Marion Zibelli

El desarrollo de productos como las vacunas del SIDA o los microbicidas nos dará la posibilidad de disponer de otras herramientas para prevenir el VIH/SIDA además del preservativo. Lo que seguramente no se esperaba es que su búsqueda llevara además a alimentar todo un debate que no existía con el preservativo: el de la reducción de riesgos y daños en la prevención sexual del VIH/SIDA. La aplicación de este paradigma al campo de la prevención abre nuevas puertas para profundizar la reflexión acerca de la salud sexual al sacar a la luz las necesidades de tanto hombres como mujeres para vivir su sexualidad plenamente y de forma segura y placentera... (click here to read the rest of the article)

"Making Anal Sex Safer for MSM in the Developing World"

IRMA to present at "The Invisible Men" - a pre-conference event at the 2008 International AIDS Conference

The Global Forum on MSM and HIV has announced that registration for the AIDS 2008 pre-conference event, “The Invisible Men: Gay Men and Other MSM in the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic”, is now open. The event will be held on August 1st and 2nd at the Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel & Towers in Mexico City. Attendance is free of charge with around 400 people expected to participate. IRMA is pleased to be presenting the 90-minute workshop, "Making Anal Sex Safer for MSM in the Developing World" in collaboration with IRMA-ALC and others.

Here is the concept for the workshop:

"The notion that gay men and MSM are strictly a Western phenomenon is patently false. Gay men and other men who have sex with men exist throughout the developing world, despite official denial and cultural stigma and shame that results in catastrophically low levels of HIV prevention funding for these communities. Unprotected anal intercourse is an extraordinarily efficient means of HIV transmission, and more user-controlled methods of protection are needed for gay and MSM that go beyond latex, fidelity and abstinence. International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) works to advance the research and development of safe, effective and acceptable rectal microbicidea for all the men, and women, around the world who engage in anal intercourse. IRMA members from the developing world (IRMA’s 600+ membership hails from 46 countries) will share the latest rectal microbicide research, highlight key findings in the new IRMA report, ‘Less Silence, More Science”, and discuss global advocacy efforts to engage gay and MSM."

Click for more info on the event and check out the program-in-progress.

IRMA tiene una hermana nueva

Yes, IRMA has a new sister - IRMA-ALC (América Latina y El Caribe) which will focus on rectal microbicide advocacy and research efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean. This exciting, new collaboration - with chairs from Peru, Ecuador and Brazil - was officially announced on the IRMA teleconference - "Successful Implementation of HIV Prevention Trials in Peru" - which took place today, April 24. Click here to see the slides from that call.

Says IRMA-ALC chair Jerome Galea - "In all of Latin America and the Caribbean, there are only two microbicide clinical trials underway, one in the Dominican Republic and the other in Puerto Rico; both are for vaginal products. These studies represent important steps in the advancement of microbicide research. Nevertheless, in much of Latin America, HIV is transmitted by anal intercourse, making vital the advocacy, development, testing and availability of rectal microbicides for men and women in the region. Together with IRMA, IRMA-ALC provides a framework for citizens, advocates and scientists from countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to put rectal microbicides on the regional map by disseminating information in local languages and promoting their culturally competent research and development. "

Stay tuned to this blog for more updates around this collaboration. And por favor, check out IRMA-ALC's webpage.