HIV preventing gels to be trialed in Africa

British scientists are to launch trials in five African countries for new gels that may help to prevent the transmission of HIV, the BBC has reported.

The gels, known as microbicides, could help millions of people protect themselves against HIV, the virus that causes Aids.

"Laboratory trials of the drugs have proved successful and researchers will tell a conference in London [today] that clinical tests will now take place in five African countries," the BBC said.

It said 12,000 women were expected to take part in the three-year trials in South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Cameroon. "The products could be on the market before the end of the decade."