By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The Chief Councilor of Social Linkages for Youth Development and Child Link, Zainba Y. Munu has disclosed that the Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention drug that protects HIV negative person from the infection.
She made this disclosure during an exclusive interview with this medium in her office at Wilkinson Road in Freetown.
Councilor Munu said adhering to PrEP is very important for its effectiveness, maintaining that the higher the adherence to PrEP the more effective it prevents HIV infection and that the lower the adherence to PrEP the less effective it is.
She said it’s recommended that PrEP be taken on a daily basis and before sex, adding that there is evidence suggesting that in the case of anal and vaginal sex, PrEP becomes effective 7 days after initiation, but that it’s globally recommended for PrEP to be taken on a daily bases to avoid confusion.
She added that Oral PrEP can prevent the transmission of HIV in anal sex and vaginal sex as well as in injecting drug user.
Munu maintained that it’s recommended that PrEP be taken on a daily bases and before sex.
She continued that PrEP is the only way to protect a person against HIV infection and it does not prevent pregnancy and other STIs or infections transmitted through injecting drugs user.
Munu noted that the Oral PrEP is safe, adding that only one in 10 user reports a few minor side-effects associated with taking PrEP. Some of the effects she said include nausea, abdominal cramps and headache; which usually last for no longer than a month.
She said currently PrEP is not available everywhere in Sierra Leone, but it is available and can be obtained at Drop-in Centers in the Country.
She added that the World Health Organization has stated in its guidance that gender affirming hormones are processed in the body by the liver, whereas PrEP medicines are processed in the kidneys.
She added that taking the tablet give persons the opportunity to be part of a special group that is turning the tide against HIV, and noting that PrEP is a safe and highly effective medication that can prevent HIV if taken correctly.
