A multilateral agreement between different civil society organisations means higher accessibility of PrEP in the country
Through a multilateral agreement between different civil society organisations across Botswana, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has become available to female sex-workers and men who have sex with men (MSM) across the country.
According to Shabba Tshiping from LEGABIBO (Lesbians, Gays & Bisexuals of Botswana), PrEP is officially available freely at Tebelopele voluntary counselling and testing centres (VCTs) worldwide. This is through a linkages project implemented through NGOs that protect and serve MSM and female sex workers. The general population can access PrEP through private clinics and doctors.
The significance of the linkages project to particularly address the needs of MSM and female sex-workers is noted through fhi360’s Behavioural and Biological Surveillance Survey of HIV/STI among different high-risk sub-populations in Botswana. According to the report, there is a high incidence rate of HIV infections in MSM community with a lack of information on sexual reproductive health. This leads to a lack of awareness of high-risk sexual activities that leave people exposed to HIV infections. So leading to high incidence and prevalence rates.
Through the linkages project’s implementing partners the PrEP screening process is orchestrated by trained officials within the various organisations. “The implementing partners recruit or identify peer outreach workers who will be the linkage between the service providers and the community,” he said. “They mobilise MSMs and female sex workers who are interested (in) PrEP and then link them to friendly key population service providers for screening and consultation…The screening process is typically inclusive of HIV retesting every three months to ensure that one is free of infection.”
Implementing partners in Botswana include LEGABIBO (For MSM and transgendered persons), Men for Health and Gender Justice Organisation (for MSM), Nkaikela Youth Group (for female sex-workers) and Sisonke Gender Justice (for female sex workers).
According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) PrEP is a prescribed dose of HIV medication granted to people who are at very high risk for HIV contraction to lower their chances of infection. It has a high effective rate of preventing HIV if used as prescribed.
Daily PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. Among people who inject drugs, it reduces the risk by more than 70%. The risk of getting HIV from sex can be even lower if PrEP is used in conjunction with condoms and other prevention methods.
Additionally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends daily usage of PrEP, which can be taken at any time during the day, at different times – so long as it is taken daily. It can be taken with or without food and one doesn’t have to stop consuming alcohol while on the treatment. Additionally it can be taken if one is on sex hormones, non-prescription drugs and hormonal contraceptives. PrEP is available to gay, bisexual men, transgendered persons and female sex workers in Telebopele VCTs and through the above-mentioned partners nationwide.
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