New NHS sex-positive campaign offers free PrEP to eligible people in Derbyshire to prevent HIV infection

This treatment is nearly 100 per cent effective in protecting people from the virus

Derbyshire Community Health Services have released a daring new sex-positive campaign to champion uptake of an HIV prevent drug

Developed with research informed by healthcare professionals, Derbyshire Community Health Services’ new campaign, Stay PrEPared, works to increase awareness and education of HIV preventative drug Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Stay PrEPared is a daring campaign which takes a sex-positive approach to encourage those in Derby and Derbyshire to have safe sex and protect themselves against HIV. The campaign highlights that safe sex is great sex, and integrating PrEP into your routine can help to calm any fears about contracting HIV. When PrEP is taken as prescribed, it is nearly 100% effective in protecting people against the virus.

Stay PrEPared is a non-judgemental campaign that uses an inclusive, friendly tone of voice to start conversations and help destigmatise the discussions around HIV. The campaign encourages interested people to contact their local sexual health clinics to determine if PrEP is right for them.

No judgement … just simple, sex-positive messaging to keep people healthy

How it works

Vicki Sellors, Senior Sexual Health Adviser at Derbyshire Community Health Services, said: “PrEP – or pre-exposure prophylaxis – is a drug which should be taken prior to engaging in sexual activity. PrEP works by setting up fortified walls around healthy cells, preventing HIV from entering into the body and replicating.

“PrEP has two different regimes – the drug can be taken daily or on an event-based basis. However, it is important to note that the on-demand regime is only applicable to MSM (men who have sex with men) – all other eligible people should take PrEP daily.

This new campaign aims to challenge taboos and misconceptions around PrEP and HIV, such as explaining that PrEP is available to those of all genders and a variety of sexual orientations. The campaign also highlights that it is not only men who have sex with other men who are at risk of contracting HIV.

Vicki continued: “PrEP is in fact, available to several groups, such as those with a HIV positive partner, sex workers, and those who engage in sex with multiple partners where condoms are not readily available. We encourage anybody who is unsure about their eligibility for PrEP to reach out to their local sexual health team and book an appointment to discuss their options.”

PrEP is available for free on the NHS if you are eligible. You can find out more about Stay PrEPared by heading to yshm.org.uk/prep-and-pep