Media statement

South African Medical Research Council participation in 3rd SA AIDS Conference in Durban

SA Medical Research Council scientists and researchers will be making 41 poster presentations and another eight scientists/researchers will be addressing delegates at the 3rd SA Aids conference in Durban, with Professor Gita Ramjee, head of the MRC's HIV Lead Programme chairing one session.

Dr Mickey Chopra, head of the MRC's Health Systems Research Unit will be addressing delegates on Wednesday, June 6 on 'HIV prevalence and associated risk behavioural surveillance among sugar daddies in Cape Town'.

Dr Morar Neetha from the MRC's HIV Prevention Research Unit will talk on Wednesday afternoon, June 6 to delegates about 'trial understanding and experiences among HIV positive women excluded from an HIV prevention trial in Durban'.

Dr Karin Weyer, head of the MRC's TB epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit will be discussing on Thursday, 7 June the 'Improving access to HIV care for TB patients in South Africa: A best practice approach".

Dr Rachel Jewkes, head of the MRC's Gender & Health Research Unit, will be talking on Thursday, 7 June about 'The impact of Stepping Stones on HIV, HSV-2 and sexual behaviour in rural South African youth'.

Thesla Palanee of the MRC's HIV Prevention Research Unit will be talking on Thursday, 7 June about 'HIV and STI prevalence among women screened for inclusion in the Phase 111 Carraguard's Trial in Durban, South Africa'.

And lastly Professor Priscilla Reddy, head of the MRC's National Health Promotion Research & Development Unit will be talking on Thursday, 7 June on the 'The emerging care responsibilities of elderly caregivers in the Eastern Cape'.

The conference ends Friday 8 June 2007.