The Ministry of Health is encouraging people at risk of HIV/AIDS to use Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce new infections. However, health providers are also advising the public to use dual protection to prevent the increase in cases of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Johan Onentiah, the PrEP program officer at the National Syndemic and Diseases Control Council, mentioned that there has been a rise in STIs among individuals using PrEP in the country. He emphasized that PrEP alone is not enough to prevent all infections, as there are other STIs and the risk of pregnancy to consider.
Onentiah highlighted that the use of PrEP has led to an increase in other STIs, indicating that a combination of prevention methods is necessary.
He suggested that some individuals using PrEP may not be using additional protection like condoms, leaving them vulnerable to other STIs. Therefore, using dual protection is crucial for preventing new HIV infections and other STIs.
The program officer stressed the importance of embracing condom use as an effective way to prevent all STIs and teenage pregnancy. He also emphasized the need to target more youths and adolescents in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as a significant number of new HIV infections occur in individuals aged 15-24 years.
Data revealed that 41 percent of the new HIV cases reported in the country in 2022 were among youths and adolescents aged 15-24 years.
