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THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY REPORTS:
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DURING THE DURBAN CONFERENCEMary Ann Leeper, Ph.D.011.44.788.764.5797 THE FEMALE CONDOM HELPS WOMEN TAKE CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS PREVENTION DURBAN, SOUTH
AFRICA,
10 July 2000 – In
response to more than 40 percent of new HIV infections globally
occurring in women, The Female Health Company, provider of The Female
Condom™, is increasing efforts to help women in developing countries
understand their role in prevention and the importance of The Female
Condom. These increased efforts include community-based
counseling and programming, such as the recently launched The
Female Condom: A Guide for Planning and Programming – a joint
project between The Female Health Company, UNAIDS and the World Health
Organisation. The guide
helps health professionals design, implement and monitor the
introduction of the female condom in a range of different settings. “The Female Condom helps women take control
over their well-being,” said Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D., president of the
Female Health Company. “AIDS
vaccines or a cure aren’t yet available, so we must focus on
prevention. Studies show
The Female Condom is safe and effective if used correctly and
consistently, provides protection against pregnancy and the transmission
of sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV, and has high
acceptability among women and men. Leeper
said two important studies are being presented today at the Durban AIDS
Conference regarding The Female Condom efficacy and acceptability.
In a year-long study at the Philadelphia Department of Health's main STD clinic, women attending the clinic were assigned to one of three STD small-group prevention education sessions and given free condoms in accordance with their group – male condoms only, female condoms only or a hierarchy of prevention methods. The post-intervention incidence rates of STD s were determined in the three groups after 12 months. The results showed that The Female Condom group fared just as well as women in the male condom group Another
study being launched at the conference, “Acceptability of the Female
Condom in Diverse Social Contexts,” showed increased acceptability of
The Female Condom among women in Brazil when the method was introduced
during an educational program. The
program focused on the idea of female autonomy and the need for the use of
double protection. After a
90-day trial, more than 70 percent of participants used, liked and wanted
to continue using The Female Condom.
The study also indicated that more than 56 percent of the
participants’ partners noted advantages in the use of The Female Condom. In
countries where The Female Condom has been introduced through similar
counseling programs designed by the Female Health Company, women are
imposing the female condom on their partners rather than negotiating its
use. When partners refuse to
wear a condom, The Female Condom gives women the ability to protect
themselves. The
Female Health Company, based in Chicago, owns certain worldwide rights to
The Female Condomä including patents that have been issued in
the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain,
The People’s Republic of China, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and
Australia. The Female Condom
is the only available product controlled by a woman that protects against
sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, and unintended
pregnancy. “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Action of 1995: The
statements in this release which are not historical fact are
forward-looking statements based upon the Company’s current plans and
strategies, and reflect the Company’s current assessment of the risks
and uncertainties related to its business, including such things as
product demand and market acceptance; the economic and business
environment and the impact of governmental regulations, both in the United
States and abroad; the effects of competitive products and pricing
pressures; currency risks; capacity; efficiency and supply constraints;
and other risks detailed in the Company’s press releases, shareholder
communication and Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Actual events affecting the
Company and the impact of such events on the Company’s operations may
vary from those currently anticipated. For more information about the Female Health Company, dial toll-free via
fax, ### William R. Gargiulo, Jr. Mary Ann Leeper,Ph.D. Yvette Anne Venable 231.526.1244 312.280.1119 312.397.6070 If you have any questions or comments, please send them to us info@femalehealth.com |
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