Over 1,300 individuals in MV diagnosed with HIV
The Ministry of Health states that approximately 1,300 individuals in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV) are currently living with HIV, a virus which, if left untreated, can lead to AIDS. On World AIDS Day, Health Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) lamented that despite HIV now being easily treatable, it still carries a stigma for many infected individuals.
She highlighted the existence of around 30 sexually transmitted diseases, such as human papillomaviruses (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer. Unlike HIV, HPV has a vaccine available to combat it, as Drese mentioned. However, she voiced concerns over the decreased vaccination rates for boys and girls since the pandemic, a trend observed even in MV.
Drese underscored the efficacy of condoms in shielding individuals from sexually transmitted diseases, and pointed to PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) as an additional means of HIV infection prevention. Introduced to Germany in September 2019, statutory health insurance covers the medication for individuals with a significant HIV infection risk.
PrEP involves consuming a daily pill containing two active substances, which inhibit HIV virus replication within the body. However, numerous regions in Germany, specifically MV, Brandenburg, and Thuringia, have reported scarcely using the medication, as indicated by data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
The majority of HIV care has traditionally been handled by specialized HIV practices and centers, with certain regions lacking robust infrastructure to supply these facilities equally.
Underutilization of PrEP in MV, Brandenburg, and Thuringia is not due to insufficient availability, but rather problems associated with accessibility and uptake. Eligibility criteria, cost, awareness, stigma, and healthcare infrastructure are all factors contributing to the low prescription rates. By addressing these issues through education, improved reimbursement policies, and enhanced healthcare service provisions, PrEP uptake could be increased in these regions.
Source:
Enrichment Insights: The utilization of PrEP is not underutilized in MV, Brandenburg, and Thuringia due to its unavailability. Instead, a range of factors impact its low prescription rates, including eligibility criteria, cost, awareness, stigma, and healthcare infrastructure. By targeting these issues in a multi-faceted approach, the prescription numbers could improve in these regions.
