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KZN E-News is a bimonthly electronic newsletter that forms an integral part of the MRC KZN AIDS Forum, a community platform which aims to bridge the gap between science and community through informed discussion. Each issue contains among others, articles on current and topical issues, reviews of past and future forums, community players and scientific updates which are adapted for the lay person. This is your newsletter and thus, we welcome Forum Topic suggestions, questions and article submissions. Please send your contributions to: Marlijn Van Berne, AIDS Forum Coordinator, MRC AIDS Forum, PO Box 70380, Overport 4067, Durban.
The summary below outlines the features in the most recent issue of E-News. All issues of E-News can be downloaded on the bottom of this page.
In this Issue (Vol.2 No.2):
Ed?s Say ? Vaccine Trial Participants:
This issue of E-News sets out to highlight current and ongoing issues, debates and ventures in the HIV/AIDS arena. Not least of these, the complexities surrounding the recruitment of volunteers to HIV vaccine trials. Currently well into phase I, human clinical trials at the Chris Hani- Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto and the Medical Research Council?s Vaccine Research Unit in Durban, each phase?s successful progress to completion is largely dependent on its volunteer participants. Phase I is a safety trial. Its main aim is to establish if the test vaccine elicits an immune response and to confirm that no significant side-effects are produced in humans.
Frequently Asked Questions About HIV Vaccines:
These are questions members of the HIV Vaccine Research Unit at the Medical Research Council in Durban are frequently asked ? especially following the first inoculations with two of the HIV/AIDS test vaccines in humans in November 2003. Below some of the more commonly-asked questions relating to HIV/AIDS vaccines.
A look at Drama and AIDS:
DramAidE, a vibrant HIV/AIDS NGO which uses drama methodologies to communicate effectively about sexuality and HIV/AIDS with young people, is set to launch a project that allows students to deal more effectively with the risk of HIV infection and stigma at 27 Higher Education campuses nationwide.
Nutritional Management of HIV:
The information explosion in nutrition science very often creates the impression that available information is contradictory. Consequently, it is no longer easy to distinguish between fact, misinformation and fiction. The Nutrition Information Centre of the University of Stellenbosch (NICUS) was established to act as a reliable and independent source of nutrition information.
HIV/AIDS: A Women?s Disease:
The MRC KZN AIDS Forum held a meeting on 23 March 2004 in Durban. This forum is an initiative by the Medical Research Council (MRC) to bridge the gap between science and the community; to develop a monthly platform for various stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS to discuss issues that are pertinent and relevant to the way in which we respond to the pandemic; and, to improve communication and networking amongst the various stakeholders including government, civil society, scientists and community. Dr Mark Colvin of the MRC presented updated statistics on HIV.
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E-News Vol1. No.1
