A new type of HIV prevention-pre-exposure prophylaxis-is being introduced in the Almaty AIDS Center

April 28, 2021

A new type of HIV prevention-pre-exposure prophylaxis-is being introduced in the Almaty AIDS Center

From April 2021, not only people living with HIV, but also people with a negative status can receive antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) at the Center for AIDS Prevention and Control in Almaty for preventive purposes.

Experts say that preventive measures, including the distribution of condoms and participation in harm reduction programs, are not enough to completely stop the increase in the incidence of the disease. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) can play a positive role when ARV drugs are used by people with a negative HIV diagnosis – sexual partners of key groups (men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs) who have an increased risk of infection. Dissonant couples (one of the partners is HIV-positive) and transgender women also need this prevention. With PREP, these people can further minimize the chance of contracting HIV.

- PREP is part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. In our center, it is provided as part of a package of measures for HIV prevention and prevention, including: regular HIV testing, screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and counseling. On the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), we use a combination of the two drugs as a PREPA-Tenofovir/Emtricitabine, " says Marat Tukeyev, chief physician of the AIDS Center in Almaty.

The Center's specialists have developed an algorithm of actions for working with PREP consumers. It includes mandatory tests for HIV, creatinine, hepatitis B, and STI testing. At the same time, pregnant women are under the special attention of doctors. Medicines are issued free of charge with a reserve of at least one month. Active assistance is provided by non-governmental public organizations that have access to key groups.

Studies by the world's leading scientists show that when used correctly, PREP can reduce the likelihood of HIV infection by 80-90%. At the same time, the effectiveness of this type of prevention depends on adherence to medication.

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