ANTI-AIDS VAGINAL RING PARTIALLY PROTECTS WOMEN, STUDIES FIND

WASHINGTON In a new approach to HIV prevention, women modestly reduced their risk of infection by inserting a vaginal ring coated with an anti-AIDS drug once a month, according to two studies from Africa.

The ring proved to be safe, although it cut HIV infections by less than a third overall, researchers re- ported this week.

But surprisingly, it worked far better in women 25 and older, leaving researchers wondering if the youngest women, who got little to no benefit, simply didn’t use it properly.

Vaginal rings are sold in the developed world for birth control.