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Clinical trials of HIV treatments have historically yielded more favorable results than those seen in the real world, a phenomenon known as the trial effect that has now been proved by researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, according to an analysis published July 13 in the online journal PLoS One. Though the researchers warn that this trial effect should be considered when interpreting the applicability of study results, they also stress that the divergence between clinical trial and real-world outcomes was seen in the early years of combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. More recent real-world experiences, involving treatments that are easier to take and associated with fewer side effects, often mirror the outcomes seen in clinical trials. Read more…

Aromatherapy does not possess the ability of curing addiction; however, it can definitely help in controlling the withdrawal symptoms experienced by individuals while they try to get rid of an addiction. Aromatherapy is natural therapeutic procedure carried out using essential oils. These essential oils get extracted from both wild and cultivated herbs; each of these oils contains mixture of useful chemicals. The oils are classified based on their source and fragrance; each essential oil comes with a unique fragrance, which is due to the different combination of chemicals present in them.

Counseling and Values suggest that a person requires to be motivated enough to get rid of an addiction to successfully recover from the habit of any substance abuse.

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Ahh, summertime; people are tanning on the beach, children playing in the parks, and of course the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC)is producing a trio of AIDS policy webinars for your edification – so read on and join the fun! Wanna learn about the National HIV/AIDS Strategy at one year, engaging media on ADAP issues, or the redistricting in Illinois and its effects on HIV policy? Yeah, we got you covered. Read below and register today!

HIV PJA Strategy Webinar – One Year of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS): How Are We Doing? Wednesday, July 20 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. C

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Accumulating evidence supports couple-based approaches for HIV/STI preventive interventions. Yet, to date, no studies have examined couple-based sexual risk reductions intervention specifically for men who have sex with men (MSM) from populations with elevated rates of HIV/STI transmission, such as black MSM and methamphetamine-involved MSM. We pilot testedusing a pre-/post-test designa seven-session couple-based intervention for black, methamphetamine-using, black MSM couples engaging in sexual risk. Feasibility was assessed via recruitment and retention rates; potential efficacy relied on self-reported sexual risk and drug use prior to and two months following intervention delivery. We enrolled 34 couples (N = 68 men). Read more…