The main objectives of this study are:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Carrageenan in preventing new HPV infections, in young sexually active women.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Carrageenan in accelerating clearance of existing HPV infections, in young sexually active women.
CATCH is a randomized controlled trial consisting of an intervention group and a control group.
Intervention: Treatment with Carrageenan-containing vaginal gel, self-applied every other day (whether or not participants have intercourse) for the first month and prior to each act of vaginal intercourse during the entire study period.
Control: Treatment with placebo vaginal gel that does not contain Carrageenan (applied as described above).