Depo Provera contraceptive linked to HIV infections

Reports that Depo Provera contraceptive is directly linked to increased HIV infections in women has been dismissed by Kenya Medical Research Institute.

The report had suggested that women who use Depo Provera hormonal contraceptive/ birth control pill are at a greater rick of contracting HIV. Similar findings had been published four years ago. The study was carried out by KEMRI and Moi University in collaboration with researchers from 9 international universities. KEMRI has however termed the report as misleading

According to Dr Nelly Mugo, a principal researcher at KEMRI who is one of the researchers investigating this possibility, the link between the use of hormonal contraceptives and HIV type 1 risks remains unclear.

Some observational studies which measure associations between characteristics of participants and their subsequent development of specific diseases, have reported a link between hormonal contraceptive use and an increased risk of HIV infection by women.

Asked whether hormonal contraception increases the risk of HIV among women, Nelly Mugo said its not clear whether its the hormone or the behavior of its user that increases the risk of HIV infection.

According to the head of reproductive health in the ministry of health, Dr Kigen, 150 Million women worldwide use a hormonal contraceptive with 4 out of every 10 women of child bearing age using Depo Provera in Kenya.

The World Health Organization has recommended further studies to ascertain these conflicting findings