About Us

The Cervical Barrier Advancement Society (CBAS) is housed at Ibis Reproductive Health. Ibis Reproductive Health aims to improve women’s reproductive autonomy, choices, and health worldwide. We accomplish our mission by conducting original clinical and social science research, leveraging existing research, producing educational resources, and promoting policies and practices that support sexual and reproductive rights and health. We work closely with advocates to conceptualize research questions and to help ensure the results of our research lead to positive change in women’s lives. We focus on improving access to abortion, expanding contraceptive choices, advancing prevention strategies for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and linking reproductive health and HIV prevention, care, and treatment. To learn more about Ibis Reproductive Health, please visit the Ibis website.

This website is a tool for sharing information with our members and with the general public. It contains information about cervical barriers, downloadable materials, images of cervical barriers, and research updates.

In addition, CBAS sends a newsletter with announcements and updates about new research, conferences, and advancements related to cervical barriers several times a year.

Mission

The Cervical Barrier Advancement Society (CBAS) aims to raise the profile of cervical barrier methods, including diaphragms, caps, female condoms, and other devices, for pregnancy prevention and to provide information about research on female condoms and the potential of cervical barriers to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

CBAS seeks to promote the following points:

• Cervical barriers are safe, and effective contraceptives when used correctly and consistently.
• Cervical barriers offer woman-controlled forms of contraception that can potentially be used without a partner's knowledge.
• Studies indicate that women in different settings find cervical barriers acceptable as a method of family planning.
• Provider bias and women's misconceptions contribute to low usage rates of cervical barrier methods.
• Cervical barriers offer contraceptive options to those women who need or want to use a non-hormonal method.
• Research on cervical barriers for STI protection is underway.
• New cervical barrier technologies are being developed.
• More research is needed on the social and clinical aspects of using cervical barriers.

History

CBAS, officially launched in June 2004, is an initiative stimulated by an emerging global interest in cervical barriers as contraceptives and also potentially as methods for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs.

Membership

CBAS membership is free and open to all who are interested in joining. CBAS's goal is to create an international, professional networking organization including clinical and social science research groups, academic institutions, advocacy groups, trade associations, and pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies.

• CBAS Members.
• Join CBAS.

Steering committee

CBAS has a nine-person steering committee that provides direction and guidance on CBAS activities and initiatives.

CBAS SURVEY

Ibis Reproductve Health fielded a web-based survey from September 2005-January 2006 to evaluate the CBAS website, to understand more about the site users and their perceptions of the site, and to update the site based on their comments.

"Important information, difficult to find in a comprehensive and non-commercial form elsewhere."

"There were certain female barrier methods that I was not aware of, and I now have a wide variety of methods to offer my patients."

-- Comments from CBAS survey respondents

Survey results are available here.