A video introduction to rectal microbicide clinical trials

Rectal microbicides (RMs) are products being developed to prevent HIV, and potentially other sexually transmitted infections during receptive anal intercourse. Unprotected receptive anal intercourse is the primary driver of the HIV epidemic among gay men and other men who have sex with men. As RM research expands from early Phase 1 studies to larger Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, educational materials are needed to engage people in RM research and describe what it is like to participate in a trial. Given that the field of HIV prevention research is quite complex, it is often challenging to provide communities with accurate and understandable information about the scientific process. To address the need for materials about RMs, the Population Council, the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates, and the Microbicide Trials Network developed a video called The Rectal Revolution is Here: an Introduction to Rectal Microbicide Clinical Trials. The goal of The Rectal Revolution is Here is to encourage participation and interest in RM clinical trials, ensure consistent and accurate messages about RMs, and educate clinic staff and communities. The 14-minute video introduces important concepts that apply to all RM trials, such as voluntary participation, risks and benefits, and clinical research. The video was produced by Paw Print Productions and filmed on location in 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand; at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa; at Epicentro in Lima, Peru; at Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; and in the laboratories of the Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA. The video is available in English, Spanish, and Thai.