A video by Nigerian medical professional Dr DeeDee has drawn attention to a significant development in HIV prevention. In the clip, she explains how long-acting injectable PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is now accessible in Nigeria. Unlike the traditional daily pill, the injectable version provides protection against HIV for up to six months with a single dose, removing the burden of daily adherence that has long been one of the biggest barriers to effective prevention.
PrEP has been available in pill form for years, but consistency has always been the challenge. Missing doses reduces effectiveness, and many people at risk of HIV acquisition struggle to maintain a daily routine, whether due to stigma, forgetfulness, or simply the difficulty of integrating another pill into everyday life. The injectable alternative eliminates that obstacle almost entirely. One visit to a clinic, one shot, and the person is protected for months.
The science behind it is solid. Clinical trials including HPTN 083 and HPTN 084 showed that cabotegravir injections reduced the risk of acquiring HIV by eighty-nine percent compared to daily oral PrEP in both cisgender men and women. More recent phase three studies on lenacapavir have shown even stronger results, with efficacy rates reaching ninety-six percent across broader populations. These are not marginal improvements. They represent a meaningful leap in how HIV prevention can be delivered.
“Long-acting injectable PrEP provides protection for up to six months per dose and is now accessible in Nigeria,” Dr DeeDee explained in the video, encouraging those at risk to explore the option with their healthcare providers.
Nigeria’s rollout of injectable PrEP is being supported by the World Health Organization and PEPFAR, the United States government’s primary HIV and AIDS initiative. The effort is targeted at a country where the adult HIV prevalence rate stands at one point four percent according to 2023 data from UNAIDS. While that figure may appear modest at a glance, Nigeria’s large population means it carries one of the highest absolute numbers of people living with HIV globally. Reaching at-risk groups with more effective and convenient prevention tools is not optional. It is urgent.
The limitation, however, is access. At present, the injectable is available primarily in urban clinics, leaving large portions of the population in semi-urban and rural areas without a realistic path to the drug. Counselling on potential side effects, including injection-site reactions, is also a necessary part of the process, meaning trained personnel and proper clinical settings are required for every dose administered….See More
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