Purpose

UNASO ADHOC CSO engagement meeting activity. It was intended for CSOs and other key actors including IPM, PROMISE, BioPIC, WHO and MOH that can influence and support DVR popularization and scale up.

THE REGIONAL DVR/ CABLA INTRODUCTION AND AWARENESS CREATION IN MITYANA DISTRICT

Purpose and objective of the meeting

The purpose of the meeting was to share updates with key stakeholders and CSOs on the DVR/CABLA introduction and awareness education and to discuss possible civil society actions and collaboration for the introduction of the ring.

Meeting Objectives;

1. To provide updates on DVR/CABLA introduction and awareness
2. Discuss possible CSO actions and collaborations for the introduction of the ring

Presentations

PrEP and PEP

We discussed what PEP stands for Post exposure Prophylaxis .PEP is taken as an emergency precaution within 72 hours (3 days) after exposure up to 28 days and then stopped. It is taken after possible exposure to HIV.

PREP also stands for Pre exposure Prophylaxis which is the use of antiretroviral medication to prevent infection if exposed to HIV. PREP consists of a drug /pill that is taken by a person who is HIV negative to reduce his or her risk of becoming HIV positive.

We also discussed on who who should take Prep, when should Prep be taken, for how long should someone take Prep and the side effects of Prep.

The benefits of Prep included In Prevention of HIV, In discordant couples who want to conceive, As a bridge to ART among serodiscordant couples before the positive person is virally suppressed, For use during period of high risk.

INJECTABLE PREP

We looked at the time injectable PREP is effective. It is injected once every after two months, When should PREP be taken, Who is eligible for PREP and Advantages of injectable PREP

ABOUT THE DVR

The DIPIVIRINE RING   is an HIV prevention method that intended to reduce the risk of getting HIV during sexual intercourse. A female initiated HIV prevention option to reduce the risk of HIV infection

It’s made of silicone making it easy to bend and insert.

 Who should use the ring, how  and for how long

• Girls and women at risk of getting HIV
• Used for 28 days and should be replaced after
• Its inserted on inside the woman’s vagina
• benefits

             Gives power to women

             Enables the woman enjoy sex

             Reduces risks of new infections

Other technologies/tools in the pipe line

• Multipurpose Prevention Technologies.[MPTs]

These are products that deliver varied combinations of HIV  prevention and other STIs, pregnancies

Discussions

The participants asked questions on how they can access Prep and PEP and these were guided to visit the health centres and other ART facilities for Prep and PEP

It is important to engage with the community and the peers who have experience to help proper utilization pf PrEP in the community.

People Who have used PrEP should be given a platform to share their experiences freely like PrEP ambassadors and peers.

The community gate keepers should provide feedback to frequently asked questions.

Need to prepare for the new PrEP choices like CABLA.

However, Catalyst is coming up with responses to some of   these challenges.