Protecting yourself against HIV-AIDS this holiday

Senior nurse Job Ndeulita is reminding Namibians to prioritise HIV-AIDS prevention during the festive season.

Ndeulita, who is stationed at the newly launched #BeFree Youth Campus, emphasises taking extra precautions through pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) when engaging in sexual activities with potential risk.

“Engaging in high-risk behaviour during the festive season could jeopardise your HIV-negative status,” he warns.

Furthermore, he highlighted that an HIV-negative status becomes unknown every time any person engages in risky activity.

PrEP offers protection for uninfected individuals by providing antiretroviral drugs before potential exposure, acting as a barrier against viral transmission during sexual activity with an infected person.

In contrast, PEP serves as a form of emergency care after potential exposure, typically prescribed to rape victims seeking immediate medical attention.

“PrEP requires a 28-day pre-exposure regimen, while PEP needs to be taken intermittently within 72 hours after potential exposure,” Ndeulita says.

Enrolled nurse Lydia Kamati from the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (Nappa) highlights the crucial time frame for PEP effectiveness.

“Seventy-two hours are crucial. Any unprotected sex, needle sharing, or risky contact counts. Delaying beyond this window makes clinical prevention less effective,” she says.

Kamati also highlights the importance of adherence.

PEP requires daily medication for 28 days, followed by a medical check-up to screen for HIV and other infections.

“PrEP, with its 99% effectiveness when taken regularly, is another preventive measure, but remember, it doesn’t protect against other sexually transmitted infections.

“Regular check-ups every three months are always advisable,” Kamati says.

Another enrolled nurse, Eric Hanadaob from Nappa, says the eligibility criterion for both medications is a negative HIV test result.

He says some of the side effects of the medication are headaches, dizziness and abdominal cramps, as well as nausea and vomiting.

However, one is still expected to consult their healthcare provider should they experience anything beyond that.

Both medications are available at various healthcare facilities, such as the #Befree Youth Campus, Nappa and all government facilities across the country.

“Should you need any of the medication, kindly rush to any of your healthcare facilities in the area,” Hanadaob says.

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