PrEP, a breakthrough for HIV prevention
According to UNAIDS, three out of four new HIV infections in Southern Africa occur amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in the ages of 15-24. The third Botswana National HIV and AIDS response strategic framework 2018 – 2023 (NSF III) has prioritised AGYW to address vulnerabilities exposing them to HIV infection.
Such vulnerabilities include amongst others early sex debut, multiple sex partners, unsafe sex including low condom use, intergenerational and transactional sex and exposure to coerced sex.
Adolescents and Young People (AYP) account for 37% of new infections in Botswana. Today’s discussion focuses on one of the progressive medical breakthroughs named pre-exposure prophylaxis, (PrEP) which can help HIV negative AGYW to remain HIV free.
According to Centres for Disease Control (CDC), PrEP is medication that a person who believes they are at risk of acquiring HIV can take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
An example of individuals who believe may acquire HIV through sexual contact are those engaging in unprotected sex with; a partner of unknown HIV status, an HIV positive partner who is not on antiretroviral treatment (ART) or who is on ART but is not taking it as prescribed by a health care provider and therefore, may have a high viral load.
PrEP is highly recommended for AGYW as they often have no power to control initiation and outcomes of sexual activities as well as negotiate contraceptive use during sex.
To start PrEP one should take an HIV test to make sure they are HIV negative. Once initiated on PrEP the individual should visit a health facility for clinical review every three months for a repeat HIV test and prescription refill.
If they test positive they will be switched from PrEP to full ART. PrEP should be initiated by a health care provider.
To start PrEP an AGYW can talk to a health care provider at any health facility. Or get in contact with a community-based health worker who can accompany them to such facilities.
If you are an AGYW and want to access PrEP or are recommending it for someone, talk to us on: Gaborone, 74685441 Mochudi, 71745248 and Molepolole 76756781. Our Community-based Health Workers (CHWs) will happily counsel and refer you to such services through our Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) mobilisation programme.
DREAMS provides a comprehensive package of core interventions to address factors that make AGYW vulnerable to HIV. Such interventions include amongst others PrEP.