The Institute of Human Virology in Nigeria (IHVN) has charged media practitioners to intensify awareness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), saying availability of the prevention commodities alone will not guarantee uptake.
Senior Programme Manager, Prevention, IHVN, Comfort Amina Ochigbo, who gave the charge while addressing journalists and bloggers on demand generation for PrEP, said the media had a critical role in bridging the gap between the availability of PrEP services and their actual use by members of the public.
“It’s one thing for us to make the products available. It’s one thing for us to explain to them how to use it. It’s another thing for them to buy into and use,” she said.
She urged journalists to tell the public where PrEP services are available and provide accurate information on how to access them, stressing that awareness must translate into action.
According to her, media reporting should cover the entire prevention “cascade” — from availability and access to continued use — rather than simply informing people that PrEP exists.
Ochigbo also called for a broader conversation on PrEP, saying it should not be presented as a service meant only for key populations.
“PrEP is for all,” she said, stressing that the prevention option should be discussed in relation to people who are at risk of HIV.
She described journalists as advocates who could influence public understanding through the issues they prioritise and how they frame them.
The IHVN official, however, warned against sensationalism in HIV reporting, saying the search for attractive stories must not compromise accuracy.
“We love stories – stories that are very sweet, attractive stories. As we are bringing these stories, let them be accurate in what they are saying,” she said.
She urged journalists to avoid stigmatising language and protect the privacy and confidentiality of people featured in HIV-related stories.
Ochigbo further charged media practitioners to fact-check claims before publication and consult credible health experts when reporting medical issues.
She cautioned against presenting individual experiences of side effects as general characteristics of PrEP, saying such reporting could fuel misinformation and discourage people from accessing prevention services.
Rather than attempting to provide medical advice online, she urged journalists to direct people experiencing health concerns to healthcare facilities.
“Visit your health facility,” she said, advocating a shift from fear-based HIV reporting to communication centred on prevention, benefits and informed decision-making.
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She urged media organisations to use simple and locally understood language, target specific audiences, engage young people and sustain HIV prevention coverage through regular programmes and discussions.
The IHVN official urged participants to begin immediately to champion “consistent, stigma-free PrEP messages” across their platforms.
She said sustained collaboration between the media, health professionals and programme partners would be necessary to keep accurate information on HIV prevention in the public domain and help people know where and how to access available PrEP services.
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