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Preparing for the ECHO Trial Results: WHO Perspectives
April 25, 2019 @ 7:00 am - 8:00 am UTC-4
Past observational studies have raised concerns about a possible link between the use of certain progesterone only contraceptives and the risk of HIV acquisition among populations with high HIV infection risk. In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) first released guidance on use of hormonal contraception by women at high risk for HIV as part of the Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) for Contraceptive Use. As part of this guidance, WHO recommended that women who are at high risk for HIV should be informed of this possible risk and should be provided access to HIV preventative methods such as condoms. In 2017 WHO revised its guidance and recommended that progestogen-only injectables (DMPA) move from a MEC category 1 (no restricted use for the contraceptive method) to a category 2 (advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks) for women who are at high risk for HIV. In 2015, the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial was launched by a consortium of partners to assess the comparative risk of HIV acquisition among women using one of three contraceptive methods: DMPA (intramuscular injection), LNG Implant (Jadelle), and Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD). Results of the ECHO Trial will be used to inform WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) Guidelines and inform programming strategies particularly among women at high risk of HIV. This webinar focuses on the WHO plans, activities and process for managing results from the ECHO Trial including potential revisions to the Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) and communication with Ministries of Health, and in country advocates.
Join WHO’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research for an overview of WHOs Preparation for ECHO Trial Results.
Dr James Kiarie |Coordinator, Human Reproduction Team, Department of Reproductive Health & Research
Dr James N. Kiarie is the coordinator for the WHO, Human Reproduction Team. Dr Kiarie qualified as an obstetrician gynaecologist in 1992. Prior to joining WHO in December 2014, he was an Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Nairobi, and a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist in Kenyatta National Hospital. Dr Kiarie has over 20 years of experience in teaching, clinical practice and research in the field of reproductive health, focusing on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and FP.
Dr Nancy Kidula | Medical Officer Reproductive and Women’s Health at World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa
Dr Kidula is a Senior Reproductive and Women’s Health professional, Specialist Obstetrician /gynaecologist with over two decades’ of clinical and public health experience locally and internationally. Dr Kidula’s work experience further spans public and private sector, working with UN agencies (WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, WBG), Faith Based and non-governmental Organisations.
Dr Petrus Steyn | Scientist, WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research
Dr Petrus Steyn is an Obstetrician / Gynaecologist and Scientist in the Department of Reproductive Health and Research at WHO where he is the point person for several research projects. He has more than 20 years’ experience in Family Planning/Contraception and Reproductive Health.
Dr Léopold Ouédraogo | Regional Advisor, Sexual and Reproductive Health, WHO Africa Regional Office
Dr. Léopold Ouédraogo has worked at the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO / AFRO) since 2013 as Regional Advisor for Sexual and Reproductive Health, after six years at the WHO office in Burkina Faso as National Head of the Maternal and Neonatal Health Program. Previously, Dr. Ouedraogo worked for the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso, at different levels of the national health system. He is a physician, specializing in obstetric gynecology, public health / epidemiology and fetal medicine. He has over twenty years of experience in strengthening reproductive health including monitoring and evaluation and collaborative work with partners.
Dr Nandita Thatte | Technical Officer, WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research (Facilitator)
Nandita leads the WHO/IBP Secretariat based in Geneva. Her current portfolio includes institutionalizing the role of WHO/IBP to support dissemination, implementation, and scale up of WHO guidelines and strengthening the linkages between IBP partners and WHO researchers to inform new areas for implementation research. Prior to joining WHO, Nandita was a Technical Advisor in the Office of Population and Reproductive Health at USAID where she supported programs in West Africa, Haiti and Mozambique. She has a DrPH in Prevention and Community Health from the George Washington University School of Public Health.