Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Rates of STIs are rising worldwide, with notably high incidences among PrEP-using men who have sex with men in high-income countries; in low-income and middle-income countries, data are sparse, but results from a limited number of studies among African women initiating and taking PrEP have shown high STI prevalence and incidence.
Together, these efforts could augment continued expansion of the global STI epidemic, but they could alternatively create opportunity to improve STI control, including the development of comprehensive sexual health programmes and research to develop new STI prevention strategies. The introduction of PrEP globally has been characterized by challenges and many successes, and its role as part of a range of robust strategies to reduce HIV infections is clear.
Looking ahead, understanding rising rates of curable STIs and their relationship to HIV prevention and considering the future directions for synergies in PrEP and STI prevention will be integral to improving sexual health.
The global rise in availability of PrEP and STI prevalence rates occurring together present potential synergies for comprehensive preventive sexual health. The need for access to PrEP and STI control have both gained attention in the scientific and popular press, signaling urgency.
Use of a combination of antiretroviral agents e. In essence, by having the antiretroviral agent in the bloodstream or in relevant tissues such as vaginal tissue, anal tissue and lymph nodes , the virus will be rendered unable to replicate and infection aborted Figure 1. Notably, although combination antiretroviral therapy usually with three active agents is essential for HIV treatment, HIV prevention seems to be successful with only two or even one antiretroviral medication, 23 reducing cost and potential adverse effects.
