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. 2015 Jul 20;18(4 Suppl 3):19979.
doi: 10.7448/IAS.18.4.19979. eCollection 2015.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis in Southern Africa: feasible or not?

Willem Daniel François Venter  1 , Frances Cowan  2 , Vivian Black  1 , Kevin Rebe  3 , Linda-Gail Bekker  4
Affiliations

Pre-exposure prophylaxis in Southern Africa: feasible or not?

Willem Daniel François Venter et al. J Int AIDS Soc. .

Abstract

Introduction: Southern and Eastern Africa bear the brunt of the AIDS epidemic, and current prevention interventions remain inadequate. Antiretroviral-based pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is gaining momentum as an effective prevention intervention.

Discussion: Discussions have been started on how this strategy could be employed in Africa such that the populations most in need can be reached urgently for the greatest impact. This requires the selection of specific risk groups and service environments in which PrEP can be distributed safely and cost effectively while being mindful of any ethical issues.

Conclusions: Given the need for an integrated public health approach to this, a number of potential populations and opportunities for PrEP distribution exist and are discussed in this commentary.

Keywords: AIDS; HIV; PrEP; South Africa.

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