The need for alternatives to DMPA in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors

  • Vraj Shah McMaster University
  • Eric Chu McMaster University
  • Sachin Davis McMaster University
  • Grace Feng McMaster University

Abstract

Depo-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), or depo, is an injectable hormonal contraceptive, which through studies on sex workers in Sub-Saharan Africa has shown to increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The uptake results in an increase in diversity within the vaginal microbiome. Furthermore, the increase in diversity is responsible for the decrease in Lactobacilli, leading to increased inflammation and activation of T cells. This is correlated with increased HIV-1 acquisition. Unfortunately, the ease of access to DMPA makes it the most popular contraceptive method in Sub-Saharan Africa. This multimedia submission is meant to educate peers about the issues associated with DMPA in an entertaining way. It also serves the purpose of raising awareness that more research is required along with financial aid in making safer and cheaper alternatives accessible to women of lower social status to protect them from being infected with HIV.

Click here for the video link.

Author Biographies

Vraj Shah, McMaster University

Program: Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization

Department: Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences

Faculty: Health Sciences

Eric Chu, McMaster University

Program: Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization

Department: Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences

Faculty: Health Sciences

Sachin Davis, McMaster University

Program: Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization

Department: Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences

Faculty: Health Sciences

Grace Feng, McMaster University

Program: Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization

Department: Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences

Faculty: Health Sciences

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2019)

Downloads

Published

2019-04-19

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2019): Catalyst: Facets of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences

Section

Multimedia

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).