New HIV Prevention Mechanism Now Available: Please Try PrEP

The PrEP is HIV prevention pill
One of the strategic objectives of the Municipal Council of Manzini’s 2019-2024 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is to provide responsive integrated health and social welfare services by 2024. This is in line with goal number three (3) of the 2030 Global Goals for Sustainable Development; which speaks to ensuring healthy lives and promotion of well-being for all at all ages. The Municipal Council of Manzini has done a remarkable job in the provision of HIV and AIDS services to Manzini citizens and the general populace at large through operating the country’s largest stand-alone HIV/AIDS Clinic known as LaMvelase Help Centre. The clinic presently provides service to at least 15,000 clients. As part of a global drive to suppress the number of new HIV infections, the Municipality has deemed it appropriate to proactively educate citizens of the City of Manzini about a new HIV prevention intervention called PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). The 95 95 95 global target that Eswatini achieved in 2020 shone a positive light on the country’s fight against HIV and AIDS. Manzini Municipality is working tirelessly towards making a positive contribution in the fight against HIV in the city; ensuring that HIV and AIDS related services are easily accessible. The Municipality has also partnered with the national Government towards ensuring the gains made over the years in the HIV and AIDS response are not lost. This has been through introduction of the PrEP programme at LaMvelase Clinic; the objective being to prevent new HIV infections.
- WHAT IS PrEP?
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (or PrEP) is medicine taken to prevent contracting HIV. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed and it helps in the following ways;
- PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%.
- PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74%.
It is very important to note that PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed. Since PrEP only protects against HIV, condom use is still important for protection against other Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
There are two types of PrEP currently available at the LaMvelase Help Centre as well as other health care facilities in the country. This is PrEP for both men and women; which is taken seven days before exposure and 21 days after exposure. The other is called an Event Driven PrEP; which is for men only. The event driven one is taken 2-24 hours before exposure and is continued after exposure for the duration of the exposure.
- Who is eligible to take PrEP?
Any person of any age who is HIV negative and sexually active is eligible to take PrEP. Also eligible is any person of any age who engages in risky sexual behaviour such as injection drug use, engaging in sex without a condom, inconsistent condom use, multiple concurrent partners, intergenerational sex, commercial sex work, etc.
- Is PrEP safer than using a Condom?
PrEP are tablets one takes to reduce the risk of getting HIV only hence it will not protect you from contracting other sexually transmitted diseases. So it works very well when paired with other HIV prevention methods such as using a condom.
- How to take PrEP
With PrEP for both men and women one tablet is taken once daily, at the same time, for a period of seven days before exposure. After exposure, one tablet is taken for a period of 21 days. Some people find it difficult to know when their next exposure will be hence they have been kept on PrEP all the time; meaning they take one tablet every day. What is important is to make regular health care visits to get monitored by a trained health care professional. When you decide to stop taking the tablets you need to visit the health care facility first and only stop after some tests have been done and counselling conducted by a healthcare professional.
As mentioned earlier on, the Event Driven PrEP is only for men and it is taken 2–24 hours before exposure (sexual intercourse) and continued for the number of days when the exposure still exists. Clinic visits are very important for both types of PrEP. One key fact to note is that PrEP cannot be used by transgender men.
- Are there any side effects associated with PrEP?
The answer is yes. Just like any other medication. It is important to note, however, that this will vary with different people. Whilst some will experience mild side effects, some will undergo severe side effects. Some people will exhibit none at all. The bright side of it is that the side effects can be treated.
YOU ARE INVITED: STAKEHOLDER BUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING TOMORROW
Manzini property owners, non-property owners, the business community, banking sector, parastatals, NGOs, public transport sector, health sector, education sector, youth organisations, sports and recreation entities, associations of the disadvantaged and other Council stakeholders are invited to a budget meeting wherein stakeholders will be given an opportunity to make submissions on activities that they wish prioritized in the 2023/2024 financial year’s budget. The meeting will be held tomorrow at the Council Chamber, from 8am to 10am. Please note that your input is important to Council as she plans for the next financial year. You are free to attend and contribute as an individual and as an association or grouping. In the event that, due to other commitments, you will not be able to make it to the meeting kindly drop Council an email on ico@mzcitycouncil.sz or WhatsApp/SMS message on 7808 2333/7908 2333 or Council’s social media platforms (Municipal Council of Manzini). For more details or clarity please dial 2508 5000, 7808 2333/7908 2333. Stakeholder participation in decision-making processes continues to be the Municipality’s highest priority.