SETAC Executive Director, Paco Arjona, was interviewed for the XQ28 radio show, broadcast from Guadalajara University in Puerto Vallarta, where he talked about the implementation of the United Nations PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) program.
In conversation with radio host Edgar Treviño, Arjona explained that PrEP is an antiretroviral medication used to treat patients with HIV, and also to treat people that are not infected, as a preventive measure. This treatment is highly effective, but it is not a replacement for regular condom use.
The program is being directed to people with a high infection risk, such as serodiscordant couples (where one of the members is infected and the other one is not), particularly men that have sex with men, sex workers, IV drug users and those that are exposed to HIV for not using a condom regularly.
Those interested in qualifying for the program must make an appointment with SETAC’s physician to clear any questions or concerns about the program. A second visit is scheduled to perform lab tests to ensure that there are no other infections present, and to begin treatment.
SETAC is a non-profit association that aims to eradicate HIV, and was selected by the United Nations along to implement this program, along with similar organizations in Brazil and Peru. In Mexico the PrEP pilot program is executed in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. PrEP was originally developed in the United States in 2012 and is becoming increasingly available in other countries due to its effectiveness in reducing HIV infection.
For more information, please visit SETAC at Aldanaca 178, Colonia Versalles, or call 224-1974 for an appointment.
