Experts push for diverse HIV prevention options in Thailand

[snoop1130]

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis medication | Image via Yakubov Alim/Getty

 

By Ryan Turner

 

Access to diverse PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) options for HIV prevention is essential for meeting the varied needs of individuals, according to experts gathered at a recent forum.

 

Nittaya Phanuphak, the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI) Executive Director, emphasised the necessity for a broader range of choices to enhance prevention efforts and accommodate the different lifestyles of people at risk of HIV.

 

Oral PrEP, while effective, presents challenges for some users who find daily dosing inconvenient, especially during work hours or with demanding schedules. Nittaya highlighted the importance of regular medical checkups, including blood status checks, for those prescribed PrEP.

 

However, the time constraints many face in visiting healthcare facilities contribute to inconsistent medication adherence, increasing their risk of HIV/Aids infection, revealed Nittaya.

 

“The options in HIV prevention we have today are limited. Thailand should provide more diversified PrEP options to meet people’s lifestyles and their needs, such as investing in injectable PrEPs or exploring other HIV prevention options like intravaginal rings for women.”

 

 

She urged policymakers and funders to support the diversification of PrEP options, ensuring they are accessible and affordable for everyone. The forum, titled Community Forum: From Options to Choice, was organised by Nittaya’s office to discuss how to make HIV/Aids prevention more inclusive across Thailand.

 

Despite the national rollout of PrEP since 2015, goals for increasing the number of people taking PrEP pills have not been met, and alternative options remain scarce. Currently, only daily oral PrEP is available in Thailand’s healthcare system.

 

Long-acting injectable PrEPs, like Cabotegravir and Lenacapavir, which offer greater convenience and efficacy, are yet to be included.

 

Rachaneekorn Jevprasesphant, director of supplies and products at the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), explained the complex process of introducing new medications. It involves licensing, pricing, sourcing ingredients, formula development, research, and drug registration, which could take up to three years for local production.

 

IHRI project manager Rina Chan-amnuaysuk underscored the significance of offering various PrEP options to ensure safety during sexual activity. She noted that Thailand aimed to have 144,054 PrEP users by 2022, but only 31,790 people had taken PrEP by that time, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-12-02

 

 

[scubascuba3]

Taking one PrEP tablet a day is the easiest thing in the world, probably the people who struggle are disorganised and forget to take, an injection is best for them. Clinic visits is every 4 months, hardly arduous 

[Rimmer]

A misleading totally false troll post has been removed

[Caldera]

19 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Taking one PrEP tablet a day is the easiest thing in the world, probably the people who struggle are disorganised and forget to take, an injection is best for them. Clinic visits is every 4 months, hardly arduous 

 

I'd guess the problem is that there's a significant overlap between those who are too "disorganized" to take a pill a day and those who don't have a condom ready when they need it. So that group ends up having no protection whatsoever, although several good options exist.

[scubascuba3]

36 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

I'd guess the problem is that there's a significant overlap between those who are too "disorganized" to take a pill a day and those who don't have a condom ready when they need it. So that group ends up having no protection whatsoever, although several good options exist.

Those on PrEP generally don't use a condom that's the whole point of it, so unlikely to be one handy

[NickyLouie]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Those on PrEP generally don't use a condom that's the whole point of it, so unlikely to be one handy

 

mostly homosexuals engaging in risky anal sex 

[scubascuba3]

9 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

 

mostly homosexuals engaging in risky anal sex 

Mostly i would agree but also guys having sex with female sex workers, alternatively you get the old men who think they are immune and don't need PrEP but of course they don't get tested

[NoDisplayName]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

a broader range of choices to enhance prevention efforts and accommodate the different lifestyles of people at risk of HIV.

 

Whew!

 

Scared me there for a second.

 

I thought they were going to recommend that "at-risk persons" alter their chosen lifestyles.

 

But can't have that.

 

No way!

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

those who don't have a condom ready when they need it

 

"need"

[Purdey]

There are many reasons why kids get HIV.

1. Girls often don't insist on condom use as they don't want the boy to think they don't love them

2. HIV positive (mainly) boys sometimes don't take ART daily as they don't want their girlfriends to ask what it is for.

In the case of PReP, explaining to a kid to take it to avoid HIV is difficult as it makes their partner think they are being accused of not being "clean".

PReP is taking off in Africa but is accompanied by extensive education programs. Will that happen here?

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, Purdey said:

 

PReP is taking off in Africa but is accompanied by extensive education programs. Will that happen here?

I've yet to meet a sex worker who has heard of PrEP

[jcmj]

They need to educate the kids, well and adults. They are so scared to speak about sex it only hurts them. I taught my son about sex because I knew I didn’t want him to have any issues and the school didn’t teach him about it. Even 5 finger Betty. The safest way to go. I certainly don’t want any grandchildren anytime soon. He’s been good and even told me he always uses a condom. Hope so, but at least he knows. Parents must educate their children here. Just can’t count on the system here. 

[Purdey]

17 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've yet to meet a sex worker who has heard of PrEP

Hence the need for education programs.