A popular injectable contraceptive drug may significantly increase the risk of HIV infection, a study claims.
Depor-medroxyprogesterone acetate(DMPA)-a birth control shot administered every 3 months-is the predominant contraceptive in sub-saharan Africa.
Human studies suggest DMPA use may raise the risk of HIVinfection by 40%.Other forms of contraceptive shots do not show the same correlation with HIV infection, researchers said.
Studies are now being conducted extensively on how the under-lying biological mechanisms could contribute to increased risk of HIV infection for certain hormonal contraceptions but not others.
_Deccan Herald_