Male Involvement Component Slows Down PrEP Uptake In Zimbabwe

POOR health seeking behavior by males, coupled with the patriarchal nature of society has slowed down the uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa PrEP is the use of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs by HIV-uninfected persons to prevent the acquisition of HIV before exposure to HIV. Most oral PrEP pills contain a combination of two ARVs- tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricatabine. According to data that was shared by the Zimbabwe Association of Church related Hospitals (ZACH) during a virtual media  briefing on PrEP, the uptake of PrEP…

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HIV+ People With Low CD4 Count Should Consult Before Getting COVID-19 Jab

PEOPLE living with HIV (PLHIV) who have a low CD4 count and an uncontrolled viral load have been urged to defer getting vaccinated against COVID-19 until after discussing with medical practitioners, a medical and HIV expert has said. By Michael Gwarisa CD4 cells are white blood cells that fight infection and the CD4 count is a measure of how healthy one’s immune system is when living with HIV. People Living with HIV have been listed amongst high-risk populations in the country and have also been afforded priority status under the…

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