Safety, Acceptability and Preliminary Effectiveness of Carraguard™ (PC-515) in Preventing HIV/STI Transmission

Inclusion Criteria: * In good health as determined by medical history, physical examination and results of laboratory screening tests for RTIs * Aged 18 years or older * Resident in the area for at least one year and planning to stay for at least 12 months * HIV-seronegative at screening * Willing and able to comply with the study protocol (including being tested for HIV, learning the results, and undergoing clinical evaluations), and, * Able to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or desire to become pregnant during the trial * Delivered or aborted a pregnancy within the six weeks prior to screening * History of surgery on external genitalia, vagina or cervix in the six weeks prior to screening * Recent history of non-menstrual vaginal bleeding with intercourse * Clinically detectable genital abnormality (including presence of warts, or a structural or congenital abnormality) * Clinical suspicion of a RTI (defined as the presence of a genital ulcer visible to the naked eye, an abnormal vaginal discharge or purulent cervicitis, or untreated positive STI test result) * Abnormal Pap smear * History of sensitivity/allergy to latex * Participating in another trial of a vaginal product * Reported injection of recreational drugs