PrEP: The HIV wonder drug being abused by reckless Nairobi varsity students ¶
PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a medication that has been hailed as a game-changer in the fight against HIV. However, in Nairobi, it has become a wonder drug of sorts, with university students increasingly abusing it in their relationships with older men who refuse to use protection.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control, PrEP is a highly effective medication for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. However, in Nairobi, it has become a means for students to engage in unprotected sex with older men who are unwilling to use protection.
Our investigation found that PrEP is widely available in Nairobi, with many pharmacies and chemists selling it over the counter. However, the medication is not being used as intended, with many students using it as a means to engage in unprotected sex with older men.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, told us that she had been introduced to PrEP by a friend and had been using it to engage in unprotected sex with older men. She said that she had heard that older men did not like using protection and that PrEP was a way to ensure that she did not get HIV.
However, experts warn that PrEP is not a substitute for safe sex practices. Dr. Gideon Kiprono, a doctor at Olenguruone Sub-County Hospital, said that PrEP should only be used under the guidance of a doctor and that it should not be used as a means to engage in unprotected sex.
“PrEP is a prescription medication and should be given out for free at clinics for family planning, maternity or designated places,” he said. “You need to be tested first, then the doctor will advise. People using the medication without being screened and without a doctor’s prescription will expose themselves to HIV.”
Dr. Mary Adeka, a pharmacist, also warned that PrEP should not be sold over the counter and that it should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.
“It should not and cannot be sold over the counter. You have to do an HIV test before starting PrEP. Counselling and guidance need to be done before so that we can have proper use of the medication,” she said.
Our investigation also found that PrEP is not being used consistently, with many students using it only when they plan to engage in unprotected sex. This can lead to the medication becoming less effective at preventing HIV.
Experts warn that the abuse of PrEP is a serious public health concern and that it needs to be addressed urgently. They say that education and awareness campaigns are needed to inform students about the proper use of PrEP and to encourage them to practice safe sex.
