A comprehensive understanding of sexual health necessitates a state of equilibrium between an individual’s physical, emotional, mental, and social uprightness related to sexuality. Ensuring pleasurable and safe sexual experiences free from oppression or persecution requires an optimistic outlook and respectful behavior while engaging in relationships. Rather than being solely defined by the absence of diseases or dysfunctions, it is a synthesis that incorporates all nuances, including gender identity, orientation preferences, and expressions reliant on affectionate bonds. For both personal and societal welfare, the propagation and nurturing of sexual health should be paramount since it is a fundamental human right that should never be neglected.
Undoubtedly, maintaining good sexual health plays a pivotal role in the holistic well-being of every individual out there. It encompasses notable aspects that affect one’s emotional state, physical condition, social interactions, along with their relationships’ status quo. In contrast, ignorance towards issues related to sexual health may lead to negative consequences like STIs or even unwanted pregnancies (Minnesota Department of Health, 2022). Furthermore, it could harm one’s self-esteem as they exhibit repercussions like social stigma, discrimination, and significant financial burdens. Interventions must be developed at different levels, including individual, community, and policy realms, to ensure effective management of sexual health. Addressing these issues collectively will require coordinated and comprehensive approaches to prioritizing public health as a critical component. PrEP involves taking antiretrovirals before HIV exposure. Empirical research shows its success rates among heterosexuals, transgender people, injectable users, and male homo- and bisexuals. Truvada, which combines FTC and TDF, is a popular PrEP medicine. Other HIV-prevention drugs exist besides PrEP. PrEP reduces HIV risk, but it does not protect against STDs. For best safety, condoms, STI testing, and PrEP must be used.
Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Offering antiretroviral medications before HIV exposure underpins the methodology known as preexposure prophylaxis or PrEP. Empirical data reveals its success rates across multiple populations, including those at risk from heterosexual contact, transgender persons, injection users, and male homo- and bisexuals. Truvada, a combination of FTC and TDF, is a popular PrEP medicine. Apart from PrEP, there exist several other pharmacological options aimed at preventing the transmission of HIV (M Yabes, 2021). Nonetheless, one must recognize that PrEP does not provide absolute immunity against HIV or STIs. So it becomes essential to use supplementary measures such as consistent condom use and periodic STI screening.
Difference between PrEP and PEP
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is used after HIV exposure. Effective PEP protocol necessitates immediate action -a maximum72 hour window from the direction- followed by consistent adherence over one month on appropriate antiretroviral drug combination regimens akin to but more concentrated than standard HAART for clinical management of active infections. When administered under ideal conditions, conservative estimates suggest an approximate reduction in new infections around the range of eighty-one percent. However, PrEp appears more potent -and has more comprehensive demographic access. As an intervention model with an expiration date, PEP has its limitations as a complete prevention method. Appreciating the nuanced differences between PrEP implementation versus that of utilizing PEP within context-specific populations is essential.
PrEP and HIV treatment
With a reduced dose of antiretroviral medications found in traditional HIV treatment plans, individuals taking PrEP can both prevent virus development into AIDS and provide an effective means of treating prior undiagnosed viral infections. Nonetheless, it should be noted that even with the usage of this medication regimen, its limitations do not provide total transmissible disease protection for those taking these preventive measures. Persons on HIV medication should tread when considering switching to PrEP, as expert consultation with a medical practitioner is crucial. This carefulness is due to the likelihood of PrEP being ineffective in individuals already living with an established virus.
PrEP and other STIs
It is imperative to note that though effective against HIV transmission risk reduction, PrEP warrants caution concerning sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, or herpes. Therefore, individuals taking advantage of the advantages of this intervention should also practice safer sex practices, such as condoms, and adopt mitigation strategies limiting contagion risks (WHO, 2022). These strategies could be made more effective through behavioral decisions whose outcomes raise potential risks of incidence and prevalence trajectories relative to STI vulnerability spanning among active participants; as a result, prompt regular medical checkups are advised.
PrEP and blood donation
PrEP medications make individuals ineligible for blood donations in many countries, such as Canada and the US, because there is a plausible risk of HIV transmission to recipients despite their effectiveness as an HIV deterrent. However, critics suggest that limiting PrEp users’ ability to donate is discriminatory since it disregards its safety merits amid widespread use across multiple countries worldwide (Custer et al., 2020). Furthermore, proponents assert that requiring eligible criteria compliance should be sufficient for permitting donations contrary to current exclusionary policies championed by American Red Cross. Additional investigation is needed to establish the plausible hazards and advantages of allowing blood donation by those who consume PrEP.
Issues surrounding PrEP, HIV research, and Social Justice
Many marginalized communities in the United States continue to face challenges in accessing PrEP for HIV prevention. Cost is a significant hindrance, according to research undertaken by the Kaiser Family Foundation; only a fraction of people deemed high-risk for acquiring HIV – just 16% – currently utilize PrEP (Frederiksen et al., 2022). Furthermore, despite proven efficacy and recognition from health professionals worldwide concerning PrEP’s efficacy in reducing new infections,’ societal bias may impede access. Despite the proven effectiveness of PrEP as an HIV prevention tool, stigmatization can inhibit uptake among high-risk individuals. Additionally, disparities in access to PrEP persist within marginalized communities, with lower-income and Black/Latinx individuals less likely to receive prescriptions despite meeting criteria for elevated risk (CDC, 2019). These inequalities underscore the need for equity-focused interventions aimed at increasing accessibility. HIV researchers must integrate social justice considerations into their work to effectively reduce transmission rates among marginalized communities such as people of color, transgender individuals, or drug injectors. Inequalities persistently characterize this group’s experiences with markedly poor health outcomes compared to other sections of society. To improve matters, it has become increasingly crucial that prevention intervention programs prioritize meeting these unique demographic needs while providing them access in a way that considers cultural differences.
HIV and Marginalized Communities
The impact of HIV/AIDS on marginalized populations worldwide is deeply concerning, given that these communities experience woefully disproportionate consequences, such as rising transmission rates coupled with reduced access to testing and treatment, resulting in inferior health outcomes. This vicious cycle remains alarming from various contributory aspects, such as race to limited resources in some nations. In the United States especially, those identifying as Black or Latinx continue to be significantly affected by HIV/AIDS infection (CDC, 2022). One contributing factor to this issue is the presence of systemic inequalities, including socioeconomic disadvantage and inadequate healthcare provision, in combination with prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory behavior.
As an illness that undermines communities facing marginalization in some way or another, HIV/AIDS poses specific challenges for different groups based on their gender identity and sexuality. Women (especially Black women) bear the brunt of higher infection rates while encountering social barriers like gender-based violence or cultural attitudes around sex/sexuality. Alternately challenging general assumptions is the disproportionate rate at which MSM contract HIV/AIDS–partly influenced by external prejudice. The reluctance of men who have sex with men (MSM) to seek healthcare, including prevention tools, is partly due to the stigma and discrimination encountered. Also, access to culturally appropriate healthcare is limited for this population. Lastly, resource-limited countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, experience significant impacts from HIV/AIDS, mainly driven by poverty and inadequate access to healthcare and prevention tools alongside cultural gender and sexuality norms. Consequently, these communities suffer high rates of HIV transmission leading to poor health outcomes.
In a nutshell, sexual health’s relevance to physical and emotional well-being suggests that preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which prevents transmission, is more critical than post-exposure or treating HIV. While taking PrEP as instructed will not protect against other STIs or stop blood donation, overcoming pressing concerns like discrepancies in access accessible to everyone regardless of demographics constantly becomes obvious. Unless social justice is included in HIV research and intervention, it will be unable to effectively address the adverse effects of HIV/AIDS on disadvantaged populations based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or lack of resources. Thus, we must prioritize PrEP and HIV/AIDS therapies. These measures include increasing the availability of preventative interventions and reducing their usage stigmas. Further research must examine how HIV/AIDS affects underprivileged communities and develop effective ways to reduce transmission rates and improve health outcomes. HIV/AIDS and sexual health must be addressed holistically for the best results.
References
Minnesota Department of Health. (2022). Characteristics of Sexually Healthy Adults – Minnesota Dept. of Health. Www.health.state.mn.us. https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/sexualhealth/characteristics.html
CDC. (2022, June 21). Basic Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). HIV Surveillance. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance.html
Custer, B., Quiner, C., Haaland, R., Martin, A., Stone, M., Reik, R., Steele, W. R., Kessler, D., Williamson, P. C., Anderson, S. A., Williams, A. E., Raymond, H. F., McFarland, W., Robinson, W. T., Glick, S., Sey, K., Melton, C. D., Glynn, S. A., Stramer, S. L., & Busch, M. P. (2020). HIV antiretroviral therapy and prevention use in US blood donors: a new blood safety concern. Blood, 136(11), 1351–1358. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2020006890
Frederiksen, B., May 03, I. G. P., & 2022. (2022, May 3). PrEP Access in the United States: The Role of Telehealth. KFF. https://www.kff.org/hivaids/issue-brief/prep-access-in-the-united-states-the-role-of-telehealth/
M Yabes, J. (2021). Preexposure HIV Prophylaxis: Overview, Practice Essentials, Rationale. EMedicine. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2054869-overview
WHO. (2022). WHO releases a new module of the PrEP implementation tool on the integration of STI services. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news/item/06-09-2022-new-module-prep-implementation-tool-on-integration-of-sti-services
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