Prevention Is the Best Defence

HIV prevention is vital in the fight against HIV, requiring a multi-faceted approach that includes education as well as biomedical tools to reduce new infections. Male and female condoms remain the simplest, most accessible prevention method. Antiretroviral drugs are also used to reduce new infections by preventing mother-to-child transmission, and as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is another effective prevention intervention. Combining these prevention tools with comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health and rights programmes is the cornerstone of the South Africa national prevention strategy. Despite this, 240,000 South Africans were newly infected with HIV last year. As children across the region begin a new school year, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which provides Hiv-related care to over 1,3 million patients across 43 countries, proposes that in addition to biomedical prevention tools, parents and schools educate young people about healthy sexuality in order to stay safe from HIV, STIS and unplanned pregnancies. AHF calls on government to #Keepthepromise of an Aids-free generation by rolling out age-appropriate, comprehensive sexuality education for all learners. For more information, Whatsapp +27 66 319 2045 or visit www.freehivtest.org.