Abstract

PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PREP), A NEW AIDS PREVENTION TOOL. WHERE ARE WE? IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FROM INDIAN PERSPECTIVES.

Shivaprakash G, Pallavi LC*, Rathnakar UP

ABSTRACT

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is one of the new AIDs preventive tool. Rapid testing, circumcision, condom, abstinence are the other preventive strategies, which are mainly male controlled methods. Each of these strategies have their advantages and disadvantages. No single prevention strategy will be 100% effective against HIV transmission. Hence, transmission reduction will require integration of all available prevention strategies. Implementation of a newer preventive method is the biggest challenge in a country like India which is highly populated and the spread of HIV infection is rampant. It is important that we prepare strategies against the anticipated challenges of implementation while awaiting for the final report of trials and regulatory approval. This will accelerate the process of our campaign against HIV spread. An effort is made to discuss the challenges and the possible answers in implementation of newer pre-exposure prophylaxis as a preventive method in our population. Successful implementation requires the integrated efforts from the prescribers, users, policymakers, voluntary organizations and media.

Keywords: Pre-exposure, implementation, prevention, strategy.