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HIV Prevention

HIV prevention has the power to eliminate HIV. In order for prevention to work, strategies must take into account women's life circumstances.

Prevention

Currently, the main methods of protection against HIV transmission are:

Power imbalances in women’s lives impact their capacity to prevent HIV transmission. Women need accessible and affordable self-controlled methods of prevention that do not require the knowledge or consent of their sexual and/or injection partners. As research advances and new prevention technologies are made more accessible, prevention for women is improving.

In most jurisdictions, the uptake of PrEP medication has predominantly been among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (gbMSM).

The WHAI Network works to build the capacity of service providers and communities across Ontario to engage women with PrEP as a safe and highly effective prevention tool.

To learn more, see WHAI's pamphlets on PrEP & PEP:

'PrEP & Women: What You Need to Know'opens in a new window

'PEP & Women: What You Need to Know'opens in a new window

Condoms and Other Physical Barriers

How they work and different options

Condoms are physical barriers that can reduce the risk of a sexual exposure to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are made of materials that do not allow HIV or STIs to pass through them. Condoms are highly effective against HIV and STI transmission when used consistently and correctly.

What are the options?

HARM REDUCTION & SAFER DRUG USE PRACTICES

SAFER DRUG USE PRACTICES HAVE PROVEN TO REDUCE HIV TRANSMISSION

HIV Treatment and Viral Load Suppression including Undetectable = Untransmittable

U= U icon

Undetectable = Untransmittable*

Research has shown that the consistent and correct use of HIV medications by people living with HIV can lower a person’s viral load to undetectable levels. When a person living with HIV maintains an undetectable viral load for at least 6 months, they cannot transmit the virus sexually to other people. In 2015, approximately 80% of people living with diagnosed HIV in Ontario were virally suppressed.

 

Undetectable = Untransmittable is changing the lives of many people living with HIV; however, there are important considerations that are relevant for women.

 

Learn more about U=U and Womenopens in a new window.

 

Viral load testing is part of routine checkups for people living with HIV who are engaged in care and on treatment. Accessing and staying engaged in care has shown improved health outcomes for people living with HIV, and is a very effective prevention tool.

Learn more about suppressing viral load as a prevention methodopens in a new window.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

What is PrEP?

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a prescription medication for HIV-negative people to reduce their risk of contracting HIV. PrEP is a combination of two drugs that fight against HIV known as “antiretrovirals” and is typically taken daily. PrEP is safe and has been approved by Health Canada. To learn more about PrEP, check out the following links:

 

Ontario PrEPopens in a new window

Virtual PrEP Action Toolkitopens in a new window

PrEP & Women: What You Need to Knowopens in a new window

5 ways that PrEP highlights gender inequities in HIVopens in a new window

Women + PrEP: 5 Important Factsopens in a new window

 

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

What is PEP?

PEP refers to a prescribed medication that prevents HIV acquisition for anyone who may have recently been exposed to HIV infection. As PEP is not 100% effective, starting earlier can increase its effectiveness. It can be prescribed up to 72 hours after exposure and the sooner it is accessed the more effective it can be.

CENTRING WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES

"We must avoid creating two classes of people with HIV; those who have an undetectable viral load and those who do not."


— Ontario AIDS Networkopens in a new window

RESOURCES

Brochure, WHAI Resource

PrEP & Women

WHAI's resource on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for women.

Brochure, WHAI Resource

PEP & Women

WHAI's resource on Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for women.

Toolkit, WHAI Resource

Women and Harm Reduction in Ontario: A Capacity Building Toolkit

WHAI's toolkit for strengthening the work harm reduction programs do with women who use drugs.

Report, WHAI Resource

Living in the Asterisk(*)

WHAI's resource on what undetectable = untransmittable means for women.

Brochure

Brazen

CATIE and the 519's safer sex guide for Trans women.