Youth favour PrEP over condoms as HIV surge, health experts say

Aids Healthcare Foundation Country Director Samuel Kinyanjui. [File, Standard] The HIV prevalence rate among individuals aged 15 to 34 continues to rise due to low condom usage. Data from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) indicates that of the 16,000 new HIV infections reported last year, at least 73 per cent were of people aged 15 to 34. Samuel Kinyanjui from the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) said many youth prefer using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) over condoms to prevent HIV infections. However, Dr Kinyanjui said access to PrEP remains limited compared to condoms, which also protect against unintended pregnancies. "We encourage young people to include condoms in their budgets. As health experts, we know that investing in condoms is crucial because failure to do so can lead to a lifelong dependence on HIV treatment," he said. "Even though they prefer PrEP, its acquisition process is long and therefore discourages many. For example, they have to go to the hospital for tests to determine if they are negative, and then they take the tablets for longer periods as compared to condoms, whose process only involves purchasing in shops," he added. With the freezing of foreign aid by US President Donald Trump, Kenya's supply of PrEP is not guaranteed, and it is not among activities waived by the U.S. Department of State. According to Global Health Security and Diplomacy under the US Department of State, a 90-day waiver, PrEP shall only be offered to pregnant and breastfeeding women during the pause. Kinyanjui said that despite the order, donor support for the condom supply has been dwindling for the past five years. Director of NSDCC Dr Stephen Ndolo has also encouraged youth and young adults to use condoms to prevent new HIV infections and re-infections. He encouraged the purchase of condoms in the market, noting the low supply of free ones following dwindling donor support. "Free condoms are distributed among those who cannot afford them, key populations, including students, sex workers, and men having sex with men," he said. Available stock for key populations, according to the official, will last the country for six months. The U.S., he said, has been a major supporter of Kenya's HIV programme, but with changes in Trump's administration, there might be a bigger gap. "The US government has been key in preventing HIV, TB, and malaria. But with the freezing of foreign aid, we are encouraging the total market to avoid infections because demand is higher as compared to as compared to usage," emphasised Ndolo. Kenya requires at least 450 million condoms annually, but currently, the country depends on the Global Fund, well-wishers, and non-governmental organisations. "Only 30 per cent of free condoms are available in the country," said Kinyanjui. Kinyanjui, however, faulted the government for high taxation on condom imports and the lack of local manufacturing. Condom use advocate, alias 'King of Condom' Stanley Ngara, on his part regretted that instead of protecting themselves against HIV and STIs, youth prefer buying themselves expensive alcohol. "We are worried because of the low usage of condoms in young people," regrets Ngara. Ngara attributed low condom uptake in youth to lack of awareness and lack of money. The price of commercial condoms ranges from Sh50 to Sh1,000 depending on the brand. The experts raised the concerns during the commemoration of International Condom Day held at Rongo University in Migori.

Youth favour PrEP over condoms as HIV surge, health experts say

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