A global campaign named P=P (PrEP = Prevention) has been launched at the International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2024) in Munich. This initiative aims to advance access to PrEP information and PrEP choices for HIV prevention for all who need it.
Charles Brown, Executive Director of Preventive Care International, launched the campaign, calling on global champions of P=P in their countries to join the effort. The campaign advocates for resource allocation, promotes access to PrEP information and choices, and supports policies that enable easy delivery and access to PrEP for everyone in need.
“In most sessions since the IAS 2024 conference started, there have been resounding messages about accurate PrEP information not reaching communities,” said Chilufya Kasanda Hampongo of the Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign in Zambia. “The P=P campaign is an opportunity for us to start building momentum and galvanize the messages we give to the community now that the HIV prevention method mix is expanding,” she said.
“P=P is a game changer that will enable us to reach the community with accurate information about PrEP for HIV prevention now that we are getting more PrEP options,” added Ruth Akulu, Youth Representative of the Uganda Country Coordinating Mechanism Board for the Global Fund.
Dr. Fanandos from University College Dublin emphasized the need for clarity, stating, “We thank Charles Brown for this innovation because many people confuse PrEP with PEP and vaccines. The P=P campaign will help to demystify misconceptions about PrEP and enable people to make informed choices for HIV prevention.”
Shakira Namwenje, Executive Director of ACT 101 Uganda and an HIV advocate, highlighted the collaborative nature of the campaign: “This is a global campaign, and we are calling upon all advocates to see how we can work together to advance P=P in our countries to enable people in the community to access accurate information about PrEP.”
Flavia Matovu Kiweewa, Director of Research at the Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University (MU-JHU) research collaboration, concluded by stressing the role of advocates: “It is the role of advocates globally to emphasize and make community members know that PrEP equals Prevention (P=P). We want to see P=P in reality, and you are the people to help us advance P=P in your countries to prevent new HIV infections.”
The P=P campaign is set to be a pivotal movement in ensuring that accurate and accessible information about PrEP reaches communities worldwide, thereby enhancing HIV prevention efforts.