By Jael Namiganda
Prep injectable has proven to be the new hope for HIV infection reduction. The study targeting many young women and men at a very high risk of contracting HIV being carried out at 4 main districts of Kalangala, Mityana, Masaka and Hoima has registered few cases since its inception last year as compared to oral Prep.
DR, Flavia Kiweewa a senior research scientist from Makerere university John Hopkins university research collaborations said that of the infections registered, 38 were from oral Prep Truvada while 13 from the injectable cabotegravir, giving positive results to the injectable. “The prayer studies were they said that Truvada works hundreds of infections were registered like in the United States were they registered 352 infections were too many, but here because everyone was on an active product only 52 infections were registered among thousands who were followed up 38 in Truvada and only 13 infections occurred in the group that was given the cabotegravir injectable stressing that in the OFT study cabotegravir was more effective that Truvada. She noted that adherence was the biggest factor that affected the numbers in Truvada.” She noted
Dr Flavia stressed that the study meant to last 6 years might be cut short and enrolled if it continues registering positive results.
Now Charles Brown of Preventive Care Uganda says that with the development of the Prep App there will there will be easy access and information of this Prep to the users. The App also gives more information on PREP. in the country we have people who are facing a challenge of adherence because people forget to take their drugs, however this app also acts as an alarm or reminder for someone to take their drug. It also reminds people to go for refills at the nearest centers and have also incorporated in the QnA so that people can learn more about the PREP, Charlse said”
He noted that the app that is downloaded on phone for android users not only shows Prep administrations but also acts as a reminder for the refills and also gives detailed information on the different types of Prep.
He said that the app has 350 prep stations countrywide so far. “Currently we have about 350 stations in the country offering PREP both government and non-government institutions offering it free of charge.”
Now Ruth Akulu of the International Community of Women Living with HIV East Africa said that with the high HIV prevalence rate in the country standing at 5.5%, women at 7.1% and men at 3.8%. the new interventions will help reduce the number especially with the issue of adherence.
“HIV prevalence is still high in Uganda standing at 5.5% among people aged been 15 and 49 years of age with women standing at 7.15 and men at 3.8% reason why we as a country or community need these new interventions because of the challenges in the old ones like adherence especially in the old interventions like the oral Prep so we believe with these new interventions the issues of adherence will be resolved.” Ruth stressed
