Invitation to Roundtable Discussion: Lime juice as a potential microbicide

Women in many cultures, including Nigeria, have used lemon or lime juice for contraception and vaginal hygiene purposes for centuries.

Now, its use is generating some debate. Studies conducted in Jos, Nigeria and other parts of the world show that women believe that lemon and lime juice; 'a gift of nature' might help protect them from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Scientists are sounding a note of caution about this practice. New research findings emerging from clinical trials involving women who have consistently used lime juice as a vaginal cleanser, demonstrate that high concentration of these juices could damage the vagina walls, thus exposing women to a higher risk of infection with HIV.

Interestingly, the research findings also show that high concentrations of lime or lemon juice could potentially be effective against HIV.

So what does this all mean - for the women in Jos and other parts of Nigeria who routinely use lime and lemon juice for contraceptive and cleansing purposes?

What benefits (or harm) does use of lime juice portends for these Nigerian women?

What messages should we be giving to men and women about lime and lemon juice?

What do the research findings indicate about the potentials of 'natural products' such as lime/lemon juice, which are widely used in parts of Africa as 'natural microbicides'? In fact, what do all of these say about research into new HIV prevention technologies, and about new approaches to tackle the HIV and
AIDS epidemic?

Join us to deliberate on these issues at the second in a series of Interactive Policy Roundtables, organized by Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) with support from Internews Network/USAID.

Speakers:

Prof Atiene Sagay -
Dept of Obstetrics & Gyneacology,
Jos University Teaching Hospital (who was part of the research team that conducted the Jos
study)

Dr Akpoghoroma -
Dept of Obstetrics & Gyneacology, National Hospital, Abuja

Ms Irene Ogbogu -
Women's Health, Education and Development (WHED) Abuja

Date: Wednesday 26 July 2006

Venue: Conference Room, Internews No 15/ Plot 139 Monrovia Street

(Monrovia Street is Opposite the Park& Shop entrance near Banex Plaza)
Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 Abuja)

Time: 11am-1pm

We look forward to receiving you.

Olayide Akanni

Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) Nigeria

Email: olayide@nigeria-aids.org