The Ministry of Health, through the National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP), has today launched a program to provide medication for thousands of Kenyans at the risk of getting HIV/AIDS.
The program known as Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will see HIV-negative Kenyans receive an oral anti-HIV drug, on a daily basis, as long as the individual is sexually active. PrEP takes up to 20 days to become fully effective and must be taken daily without fail.
PrEP is highly recommended for people who are HIV-negative and at substantial risk for infection such as a person who; has multiple sexual partners and has frequent sexually transmitted infections.
Other people who are advised to use PrEP include one who has an ongoing sexual relationship with a HIV-positive partner or anyone who is unable to consistently use condoms with a partner of unknown or HIV positive status.
The pill only works for HIV-negative persons and is highly effective when used with other preventive measures like use of condoms.
PrEP may have mild side effects that include; vomiting, rash, headache, nausea and loss of appetite. The side effects, however, disappear after a few weeks of using the pill.
HIV-negative people who take the pill every day can lower the risk of contracting the virus by up to 90%. PrEP, however, does not prevent users from other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) as it is specifically custom made for HIV/AIDS prevention.
For individuals who desire to use PrEP, the pill will be available for free at public health centers near them and should also take a HIV test every three months.
