South Africa: The trials and tribulations of community involvement in research

A trial of the microbicide gel, Carraguard, is being run by the Population Council, an international non-profit organisation, at three sites in South Africa: the Setshaba Research Centre in Soshanguve, in Cape Town and in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Microbicides include a range of products - such as gels, films and sponges - that could help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. No microbicide has yet been shown to be effective.