HIV/AIDS: Agency Tasks Media On PrEP, Self-Test Publicity

The Head, Prevention and Communication Unit, Delta State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (DELSACA), Mr Mike Arinze, has called on the media to ensure that it gives adequate publicity to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and self-testing in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Arinze, who made the call recently in an exclusive interview shortly after a three-day training for key stakeholders and the media on PrEp and self-testing (HIVST) Communication Strategy, noted that the media’s involvement in the training put them in better stead to carry out due enlightenment to the populace.
“These are media personnel that work in many media platforms. The knowledge they have and the capacity that has been built in them will enable them educate the populace through their programming and reportage in their different media platforms”, he said.
While noting the power of the media in information dissemination, he emphasised on the need for the media to create adequate awareness on the PrEP and self-testing kits, which are innovatives in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“They need to step it (the training) down to the viewing, listening, and reading population so that people will know that the service is available, accessible, and ultimately aims to ensure that we limit new infections to the barest minimum”, he said.
Speaking on the importance of the training to the media, the HIV Programme Manager, Rivers State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (RIVSACA), Dr Naaziga Francis, acknowledged the existence of knowledge gap in the media about PrEP and self-test, which the three-day training has filled.
“This training is a novel thing, which is why we brought media practitioners to have indepth knowledge and understanding of what is happening in HIV/AIDS programming.
“If they are well informed, they can adequately inform the wider audience”, he said.
The RIVSACA boss stated further that adequate publicity to PrEP and self-testing will protect the over 92 percent of Nigerians who are HIV negative.
PrEP is a medicine taken to prevent contracting HIV. It is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed, and reduces the risk of contracting HIV through sex by about 99 percent.
Self Test, on the other hand, is testing oneself at home, using the new HIV self-test kit.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo