Getting PrEP-ared
Information provided by Mauri Ora—Student Health.
This Sex Week, Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing and Mauri Ora—Student Health want to make sure that you are all PrEP-ared for whatever comes your way as part of this wonderful week celebrating healthy and consensual sex practices.
PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is a medication (in the form of a tablet) that can stop the transmission of HIV via sex by 99% (if taken daily). PrEP is fully funded for people who meet certain criteria (and can be self-funded by those who don’t). To see if you meet these criteria for PrEP, have a look at the New Zealand Aids Foundation’s eligibility tool on their website.
PrEP can be prescribed by Mauri Ora—Student Health Service and is easy to access. To get started on PrEP or to discuss whether it’s right for you, just book a ‘Nurse PrEP appointment’ with Student Health. Being on PrEP requires three monthly STI tests and blood tests but is otherwise a straightforward process. Check out NZAF for more details and visit Mauri Ora if you think PrEP might be viable for your sexual health.
Screening, for everyone’s pleasure
Why do I need a sexual health screen though? I feel fine!
Well, glad you asked! Aotearoa is leading the pack... in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to similar countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom.
For those of you under 25, you are a part of the largest group of reported chlamydia infections out of every age group. Best Practice Advocacy Service found that under-25s account for a whopping 70% of all cases. Chlamydia is also the most commonly reported STI nationally, followed by gonorrhoea, then genital warts, herpes, and syphilis.
It is worth noting, of course, that these are only the reported cases, and getting down to it with protection is still the most effective way for you and your partners to stay safe.
Getting a screen can be nerve-wracking—especially if you haven’t had one before. For a lot of us, the nitty gritty about sexual health and all the ways to maintain safer sex practices were things we were far too embarrassed to properly pay attention to in year 10 sex-ed. Not to mention, the reality of intermediate and high school puberty/sex education was profoundly heteronormative (and sometimes abstinance-focussed). The time you spend at uni can be a rapid propellant into these parts of adult life. The overhanging cloud of childhood/pre-teen awkwardness around sex can often prevent people from adding sexual health check-ups to their life admin to-do list. It’s okay to feel apprehensive or embarrassed but it’s important you don’t let this stop you from following through. Bring a friend along—don’t worry, they don’t need to be down the action end of things. You can also check to see if your situation allows for a self-swab STI test instead. Your sexual health is as important to your overall wellbeing as your physical, or mental health.
Okay you’ve convinced me, what now?
The best way to make sure that you keep sexually healthy is by getting regular sexual health screens at your local practice. For Victoria University of Wellington students, enquire at Mauri Ora, Family Planning, a sexual health clinic, or NZAF to see which is best suited for you!