If used consistently, PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 99%. Consistent use means taking a tablet once-a-day, ideally at the same time each day.
PrEP is a daily pill. PrEP must be taken every day to ensure that you are fully protected
PrEP is for anyone who thinks they are at risk of contracting HIV regardless of gender, age, religion, race, sexuality etc.
PrEP is revolutionary in its protection against HIV however, PrEP does not protect against any other STIs or pregnancy. Therefore, it should be used in combination with other barrier methods such as condoms.
To start PrEP with MYDAWA:
Book a consultation with one of our Clinical Officers. They will assess your eligibility for PrEP, provide counselling about PrEP and answer any questions you might have. This is a completely judgement-free and confidential service.
If you are eligible for PrEP, buy a HIV self-test kit from MYDAWA.
Take your HIV self-test and upload a photo of your test results on MYDAWA.
Book a second consultation to enable our Clinical Officers to prescribe PrEP.
Based on your test results, our Clinical Officers will prescribe PrEP and put it in your cart on MYDAWA.
Then it is up to you to checkout. Once you do, MYDAWA will deliver your PrEP directly to your door.
If you have already bought a Sure Check or Mylan HIVST and think you know everything there is to know about PrEP and are ready to start, then you can also begin your journey by uploading your HIVST results here. A Clinical Officer will be in contact after you have uploaded your results to talk you through the next steps.
To onboard onto PrEP all patients must complete a PrEP assessment to make sure that you are an appropriate patient for PrEP. As part of this assessment you will be asked questions which assess your risk of contracting HIV and questions about your medical history to make sure PrEP is a safe drug for you to take.
There are lots of HIV Self-Tests (HIVST) in the market. MYDAWA offers two tests for clients to onboard onto PrEP – Mylan and Sure Check. Only Mylan and Sure Check can be used to onboard through MYDAWA because of the uniqueness of the online onboarding journey.
The Mylan HIV self-test is a single-use, rapid diagnostic test for the detection of antibodies to HIV in blood. The test is intended to be used by untrained lay users in a private setting as a self-test to aid in the diagnosis of HIV. It gives results within 15 minutes.
You can click on this link for a demonstration on how to use Mylan HIV self-test kit.
The Sure Check HIV self-test is a single-use, rapid diagnostic test for the detection of antibodies to HIV in blood. The test is intended to be used by untrained lay users in a private setting as a self-test to aid in the diagnosis of HIV. It gives results within 15 minutes.
You can click on this link for a demonstration on how to use Sure Check HIV self-test kit.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is used by HIV negative people after a possible exposure to HIV and should be started within 72 hours of exposure. PEP is for emergency situations. If taken within 72 hours after possible exposure, PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV. PEP is safe but may cause side effects like nausea in some people.
If you find yourself taking PEP regularly or believe yourself to be regularly exposed to HIV then you should start taking PrEP instead. PrEP is taken before exposure by HIV negative people who are at risk of acquiring HIV. PrEP reduces your chances of being infected with HIV.
