Tanzania
Tanzania conducts studies on AIDS vaccine

Misanet.com / The Guardian, 2 April - It may be too early to say, but Tanzania may be in a way to record a major breakthrough in the search for AIDS vaccine if a study on sexually transmitted diseases among the female bar workers in Mbeya come up with anticipated results.

The Acting Programme Manager with the National Aids Control Programme (NACP), Dr. Mwita Nyang'anyi, told The Guardian late last week the study in Mbeya involving 600 bar maids might offer useful leads in the global research on AIDS vaccines.

Dr. Nyang'anyi said the study, which started in May last year, investigated the immunological, virological and behavioural correlates of HIV infection among bar workers.

The study, under German eminent scientists in collaboration with the Mbeya Regional Medical Officer, would make a follow-up on the bar maids for two-and-half years, he said.

Dr Nyang'anyi said the study would comprise a number of components which include the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases at a quarterly interval.

The treatment would be provided using the syndromic approach according to the country's national STD management guidelines, he said. The NACP official further said health education would be given and condoms provided to the maids to reduce re-infections.

Tanzania had about 1.75 million people estimated to have been infected with HIV by 1999, according to HIV/AIDS/STDs Surveillance Report of National Aids Coordination Programme (NACP). 

Kenya launched trials of AIDS vaccine developed from research on a group of prostitutes in a Nairobi slum early last month.

British and Kenyan scientists developed the vaccine after doctors found that a group of prostitutes in Majengo area of Nairobi never contracted HIV despite being repeatedly exposed to infection. 

The scientists said, however, that it would take eight years before the vaccine could be declared a success.

By Henry Lyimo

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