Health officials have expressed concern over the significant number of young individuals from Naivasha who are requesting Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) tablets, used to prevent HIV transmission after unprotected intercourse.
Dr. Ruth Laibon-Masha, Head of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, highlighted that the high demand for PEP could potentially lead to its misuse. She further emphasized that the surge in demand indicates that risky situations have already occurred, with incidents such as condom breakage or engaging in intercourse while intoxicated being cited as common scenarios.
Efforts have been made by the council to address this issue, including deploying over 100 trained health workers and promoters to raise HIV awareness among young people attending the Safari Rally in Naivasha. During the three-day event, they reached out to more than 15,000 young individuals, providing services such as HIV tests, condoms, and educational materials.
Despite the distribution of over 200,000 condoms, officials are alarmed by the high number of young people seeking PEP tablets. While the increased demand suggests successful awareness efforts, it also raises concerns about potential misuse.
Dr. Masha stressed the importance of preventive measures such as condom usage and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep), which should ideally be taken seven days before potential exposure to HIV. She emphasized that health workers cannot condone the misuse of PEP drugs, as they are intended for emergency situations only. Furthermore, PEP is not 100% effective and misuse can lead to drug resistance, potentially compromising future HIV treatment.
It’s crucial for individuals to seek PEP treatment promptly, ideally within two hours of exposure and no later than 72 hours after exposure. Dr. Masha cited cases from the previous year where individuals still tested positive for HIV despite taking PEP, often due to delayed administration.
Additionally, it’s important to note that PEP does not prevent pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections, which are also on the rise. The focus should be on comprehensive sexual health education and preventive measures to address these concerns effectively.
