PrEP: Your Life Matters

ARE YOU
READY FOR PrEP?
GET STARTED
Welcome to an online module, made just for you, to
educate, inspire, and encourage Black women to take
control of their sexual and reproductive health by
reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Congrats to you for
taking this step in taking ownership of your body and
health!
Please get started by clicking the button below.
Is PrEP Right for Me?

ARE YOU
READY FOR PrEP?
GET STARTED
Welcome to an online module, made just for you, to
educate, inspire, and encourage Black women to take
control of their sexual and reproductive health by
reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Congrats to you for
taking this step in taking ownership of your body and
health!
Please get started by clicking the button below.
Is PrEP Right for Me?
INFORMED
CONSENT
PAGE
SUBMIT

ARE YOU
READY FOR PrEP?
In this online module, you will be guided through the life
of Morgan. This semester, Morgan is taking a Health 101
class for her general education requirements. This week,
her TA is discussing the topic of HIV and prevention,
something Morgan is a little familiar with based on the
ads she has seen on TV and small talk that goes on in her
friend group. Morgan isn’t too afraid, however, she is
sure she knows how to be safe, she’s been careful thus
far, and it’s pretty rare… right?

ARE YOU
READY FOR PrEP?
Today’s topic is a little touchy. It is a little more personal
for me and for a lot of the people I know. It’s much more
loaded than the nutrition and healthy eating we’ve been
covering so far, but today we are talking about HIV. This
will start our series of discussions on sexual and
reproductive health for this section of the course, so you
might want to grab some protection for this one and let’s
get started.

It’s an STD, can’t never get rid of that one…

WHAT IS
HIV?
It’s a sexually transmitted virus that your body cannot
completely rid itself of. It stands for Human Immunodeficiency
Virus. It works by destroying the T cells in the body, which
helps the immune system fight infection.

WHAT IS
HIV?
When the body’s T cells are low, the immune system is
weakened and various infections and other viruses can take
advantage of that and really do damage to your body, resulting
in more complications like AIDS, cancers, and higher risk of… Well, we’ll
get to that
in a sec…

T IS
HIV? Before we get there,
what are some of the
crazy things you’ve
heard about catching
HIV?re low, the immune system is
ections and other viruses can take
lly do damage to your body, resulting
e AIDS, cancers, and higher risk of…

I thought someone
told me you couldn’t
get it that way?

S
HIV? Right, Morgan. These are
some crazy myths.
Actually, HIV cannot be
spread that way. In fact,
it can only be spread
through: semen, blood,
vaginal and anal fluids,
and breast milk.

The major ways to transmit HIV are:
• Unprotected anal sex
• Unprotected vaginal sex
• Sharing needles
• Mother-child contact through birth or breast
feeding
WHAT IS
HIV?

Some of the symptoms to know if you potentially have
the virus after you’ve participated in any of these
activities include:
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, body rash, sore
throat, headache, upset stomach, aches and pains
in joints and muscles, etc.
If left untreated, HIV can
develop into AIDS, an
incurable syndrome that
leads to serious
infection, other diseases,
and potentially death.
WHAT IS
HIV?

Wait, okay okay, so… hypothetically, if you use
condoms every now and again, and you’re in a
monogamous relationship, you should be okay
right?

S
HIV?
Actually, not so. Even in a
monogamous
relationship this is a risk
of infidelity and HIV
transmission…So, in this
hypothetical situation,
it’s still a high risk for a
woman to contract HIV
from her partner, even if
it’s one time. In a
situation with multiple
partners, the risk goes up
drastically.

S
HIV?
The only way to truly
prevent HIV, if celibacy
isn’t in the question for
this person, is to reduce
their number of
partners, use condoms,
dental dams, and other
forms of protection, and
if she thinks she is
affected, then she can
take Post-exposure
prophylaxis up to 72
hours after the incident
to reduce the likelihood
of HIV transmission. It’s
not a cure, but only a
prevention method after
exposure.

PrEP or Pre-Exposure
Prophylaxis, which is a
daily pill used to prevent
HIV before that scary
moment of exposure, is
also a great new option
as well.

I know that was a lot of
information… but I will
be posting a study guide
online for our quiz next
class on this information.
Take a look at it, and
have a good weekend.

After all the students pack up and leave, Morgan stays behind, a little distraught
after the lecture. She walks up to the TA’s desk nervously…

Hey, I had a
question for
you…

What’s the actual likelihood
of someone, say I don’t
know… like me of catching
HIV?

Well, being a black woman,
and college aged, to be
honest, your risk is off the
charts. 81% of 20-24 year
olds were diagnosed with
HIV in 2014, 44% don’t even
know their status. And in
2014 alone, Black
heterosexual women made
up higher rates of HIV than
Black heterosexual men and
had highest rates out of all
women groups.

Oh… well, that’s got to be
different depending on the
location right? Like, the rates
and stuff…

ARE YOU
READY FOR PrEP? Yeah the statistics reduce or
increase risk depending on
location, that’s just generally
across the country, but,
seeing as though we are in
Atlanta, in the metro area,
ATL ranked number 1 in HIV
cases across the country,
and highest rates in this very
AUC area…

ARE YOU
READY FOR PrEP? Black women in the city
alone made up 87% of the
HIV cases in Atlanta… It’s
actually an epidemic. I’ve
had several friends from
college get HIV, one of them
just passed recently from
complications after not
taking her medication. Not
to mention, my mom had it,
but luckily with her daily
medication she’s been able
to live 17 years with it.

ARE YOU
READY FOR PrEP? Yeah, that’s why I’m so
passionate about this stuff,
it’s so close to home. As a
Black man, I want to take
the responsibility of
protecting and honoring my
Black sisters. I think it’s so
important for Black women
to reclaim their value and
take back control of their
health. Our lives are
important, and we need to
stop all the games and start
acting like it. I want to see
you win, sis.

Morgan grew quite…
Morgan are you ok?

Morgan has been intimate
and her partner been using
protection.
SCENARIO 1
Morgan has been intimate
and she has not been using
protection.
SCENARIO 2
Morgan is not currently in
any intimate relationship.
SCENARIO 3
SUBMIT SUBMITSUBMIT
Which scenario would you like to most describe Morgan?
It is best to select a scenario based on the choice that is closest to the one you can
resonate with the most:

Morgan has been intimate and her partner been using protection:
Morgan and her current partner have been having sex for a while now, and they had discussed condoms and other
forms of protection several times. They were currently using condoms as their method of protection just to be safe,
but knowing the risks of HIV still worried Morgan, plus there were pressures to potentially not use them, it was
definitely tempting to see what it would be like; but, she wanted to protect herself and her partner from the
disease, and she was sure he wanted to as well, but what were her other options? Were condoms really the only
option?

Yeah, it’s just… I don’t use
condoms anymore…

Have you thought about
starting?

I mean, not really. My partner says
he prefers it this way… But… I
guess I’d want to, if it will help me
live a healthier lifestyle. But even
still… what else are my options?

Well, like I said, you can
always talk to your partner
about using protection or
even think about taking
PrEP.

I don’t know nothing about no
daily pill… that’s a lot.

Well, the treatment for HIV
is also daily medication as
well… I guess the decision is
yours. But if you ever want
to talk, feel free to hit me
up. Email me, come to office
hours, call me. I say look
over the material I’m
sending for the exam and
we can talk after to see how
you feel. How’s that sound?

Morgan has been intimate and has not been using protection:
Morgan and her current partner have been having sex for a while now, and in the beginning, they used condoms,
but now he pressured her to not use them—he said it would feel much better without them and that using them
only showed her distrust, wanting to make him happy she agreed. But after hearing all the risk of this simple act,
she wasn’t so sure it was worth it any more. But, what could she do? Was there any other way? She cared for him
and didn’t want to leave him or make him uncomfortable, but the thought of living with HIV and the stigma was
overwhelming.

Yeah, it’s just… I don’t know… I feel
like this is important information for
me and my partner, but we’ve been
using protection and are pretty
safe… But I don’t know.

Of course, of course. Using
condoms and practicing safe
sex is huge… And condoms
are 98-99% effective if used
properly and consistently.

Yeah that’s true… I mean we may
have almost messed up a few
times and forgot, but a majority of
the time we use them.

Well that’s good to hear!
And as extra protection, you
can always talk to your
partner about taking PrEP to
reduce your risk even more.
And you never know if
people are out here being
faithful, and you never know
if you break up, what other
kinds of relationships you
may enter, so in that case
options like PrEP would be a
great way for you to take
ownership of your own
health and not leave your
health completely up to
your partner and their
ability to wear a condom
properly.

Morgan is not currently in an intimate relationship:
Morgan wasn’t sure if this really applied to her. She hadn’t been in a relationship in a while. She had a few people
she was talking to but nothing serious. Was she really in a place to make this kind of decision? Should she focus on
her sexual health even if her sex life was dead at the moment?

Yeah, it’s just… I don’t know… I feel
like this is important information for
me but I’m not currently with
anyone or having sex like that…

Of course, of course. Well
you never know when you
will want to have sex and if
you don’t know the risk and
how to protect yourself now,
when that time comes it can
be a really sticky situation.
Plus, you may want to get
into a relationship for the
future, why not think about
the hard stuff now so that
when you do enter an
intimate relationship, you’re
prepared.

Like I said, there’s tons of
options out there for you to
consider, like PrEP.

Morgan wasn’t sure what to do.
There were so many decisions to make, but with all the work
she had coming up in the next week, she didn’t have much
time to think about it. Oh wait, there was a text from her
Partner now… He missed her. The note didn’t bring a smile
to her face like usual. Maybe now she did have some things
to consider.

Morgan wasn’t sure what to do.
There were so many decisions to make, but with all the work
she had coming up in the next week, she didn’t have much
time to think about it. But as she walked outside and saw a
couple snugged up with each other, she felt a strange feeling
in her stomach. That could be her one day and the risk
would still be there… what was she to do? Maybe now she
did have some things to consider.

Morgan walked up to the TA after the exam. She had been
thinking about her options over the weekend and she was
ready to talk with her TA, Daniel. She didn’t know how to
approach her, but she knew she had to.

Hey, could I talk
with you for a
minute?

Of course, what’s
up Morgan?

Well, I was considering what you said
last class…and…I want to learn a little
more about HIV prevention methods
and all that.

Great, Morgan. That’s dope,
I’m more than happy to tell you
anything you would like to
know. You’re making a great
decision for yourself, I’m proud
of you.

Thanks… Thanks. So, I know
condoms and all of that are an
option, but I remember you
saying something about PrEP?
I literally have no idea what
that is.

Well PrEP is a daily medication
to reduce the risk of HIV
infection for those who are
HIV-negative and count as high
risk.

So, how do you know if you’re
high risk?

Well, we kind of talked about your risk as a
black woman in this city, going to college in this
area, it’s one of the highest risk in the country.
ATL has some of the rates comparable to that
of DC or other metropolitan areas, even parts
of Africa. You would definitely qualify.

So, how effective is it, like
compared to condoms?

It’s most effective when taken
daily, and it must be accompanied
with regular check-ups every 3
months and other safe sex
practices, because it does not
prevent pregnancy, STIS, or other
infections.

But, if you take it as directed, and
use other safe sex practices, you
can reduce the risk of transmission
by at least 90% if not more.

Really? 90%! That’s…That’s
pretty amazing.

That’s what I’m saying! Like, it’s something we as Black people
really are not taking advantage of, it doesn’t take a lot, it’s
literally one pill a day, you can take it with breakfast or before
you brush your teeth and practice safe sex and that’s literally
it. Literally. But remember, it’s not meant to be taken as an
either or solution to safe sex, it’s a both, and solution.

Wow, I mean… it seems like a pretty good
option. How much does it cost and like…
what are the side effects? How do I go
about getting it?

Well, I’m going to send you some stuff that I know about
it and some clinics in the area that offer it. I think, these
are some great questions to talk to a doctor about, if
you’re interested?

Yeah, I’d be interested. I’m a little afraid
though, it’s kind of embarrassing. I don’t
want her to think I’m like out here doing
crazy stuff or that I have the disease…

No, don’t worry. That’s totally a rational fear, but we’re all here to help you, judgement free. This is all about
being an empowered woman to make the best choices for your health, and taking the pill doesn’t mean you
are being super unsafe or you have STIs or are being promiscuous or any of that, it says that you care about
your body and your future, and you just want to be proactive and make smart decisions to live a healthy
lifestyle.

So how about I just email you some of
the information I have, some clinics,
and even some questions you can ask
your doctor to break the ice a little bit?

Thanks so much! Honestly, you have
NO idea how much this means to me,
how much you’ve supported me in
this process.

Sis, we’ve got to support one another.
Our bodies matter, our lives matter,
what we do with our bodies and our
lives matters, you matter.

Morgan fumbled with her fingers. She shifted in her seat, trying to sit up as
straight as possible on the uncomfortable table. The room was pale, only charts
of birth control and PSAs for cervical cancer decorated the room. No windows.
Just a sink, the table, a chair, a small computer in the corner, and those PSAs to
look. Seconds seemed like hours as she checked her watch once again. Maybe I
should leave, she thought just as there was a knock on the door. It opened swiftly
and a dark skinned, tall woman with glasses walked inside. She wore a long white
coat and carried a clipboard in her hand.

I’m doing alright,
how about you?

Good, good. So I hear you’d like
to talk about PrEP, no?

So, I think PrEP would be a good
choice for me because one, I am
a Black woman, and we have
some of the highest rates of HIV
within the country; plus, I am a
college student, and my age
group also happens to have
some of the highest rates of HIV
as well, and let’s not mention
being a student in Atlanta in the
AUC area, I think my risk of
contracting HIV is off the charts.

Being in a monogamous
relationship, I thought maybe it
wouldn’t be a big deal to not
use PrEP. However, after some
consideration, I think it could
definitely help ease my mind
and also help me to take
proactive steps in reducing my
risk. I want to live a healthy and
safe life and knowing that I am
of high risk and having sex, I
think it would be a great option
for me.

Wow, it seems like you have a
pretty good idea for why you’re
interested in the medication. I
think for someone like you it
could be a good fit. Are you and
your partner currently using any
protection methods?

Currently, no. I would like to
begin, however.

I think that’s a good next step also.
So, before we actually talk more
about PrEP and your usage, I’d like to
perform an HIV test just to be sure
you are in fact HIV-negative and
eligible. I’d also like to know more
about your sexual history…

No problem. I figured you would
ask. I took the liberty of making
a list of that information for you.

Sexual History Survey: this will inform their
personalized risk reduction plan.

Wow, you really came prepared. This is great. This
makes everything so much easier. Here is a form to
complete for the HIV rapid test and it also asks just
a little bit about your sexual history also. A nurse
will come in and administer the test and you
should have results in 20 minutes. After that, we
will talk our options, how’s that sound?

You’re making a great decision
coming in, and I’m honestly very
proud of you for taking this step.

The doctor smiled and placed her hand on Morgan’s
shoulder. Morgan smiled and felt a warmth in her heart.
After the tests, the doctor returned with files in hand.

Alright, so the tests are complete.
You are in fact HIV-negative. So you
would definitely be eligible for PrEP.

Okay, so…can you provide PrEP here?

Yes, definitely. I can provide PrEP. Do
you have any other questions?

Yes, are there any side effects?

Not really. Nothing more than period
like or flu-like symptoms for some
people, but these usually go away
within the first month.

Could I get help with paying for
PrEP? I’m not sure if my insurance
covers it…

Of course. I will provide you with a cost
assistance sheet and if you are to choose
PrEP, then we can definitely talk to some of
those providers for you as well.

Knowing more about your sexual history and your interest in
PrEP, I have a personalized prevention strategy for you that I’ve
included with some more info on PrEP, cost and assistance.
Remember, PrEP is not a substitute for healthy safe sex
practices. It should be used in addition to these practices.

• It must be taken daily
and you cannot miss or
skip a dosage.
• You cannot share
medication.
• You must come back for
a follow-up every 3
months and adhere to
the prevention strategy
I provided.
Some other helpful
points: in order for it to
be effective…

If you agree to all of those things, I would like to talk more
about it starting PrEP as soon as possible. Take a look over
everything, and how about we schedule a follow up within the
two weeks to give you some time to think things through?

No, thank you Morgan. This is a
wonderful decision. I also provided
some support resources in terms of
others who have taken PrEP, support
communities, blogs, and other
resources for you. Take a look over
all of these things and I encourage
you to talk with your significant
other and your friends and family
about this.

Don’t be afraid to assert what
you want for your health,
you’re taking control of your
health and your life and that’s
something no one else can do
for you. But feel strong, our
team here is behind you, and
you’re making the right
decision.

Morgan fumbled with her fingers. She shifted in her seat, trying to sit up as
straight as possible on the uncomfortable table. The room was pale, only charts of
birth control and PSAs for cervical cancer decorated the room. No windows. Just a
sink, the table, a chair, a small computer in the corner, and those PSAs to look.
Seconds seemed like hours as she checked her watch once again. Maybe I should
leave, she thought just as there was a knock on the door. It opened swiftly and a
dark skinned, tall woman with glasses walked inside. She wore a long white coat
and carried a clipboard and red file in her hand.

Hello, Morgan. How are you this
morning?

That’s wonderful! So, before we
actually talk more about PrEP and
your usage, I’d like to perform an HIV
test just to be sure you are in fact
HIV-negative and eligible. I’d also like
to know more about your sexual
history…

wonderful decision. I also provided
some support resources in terms of
others who have taken PrEP, support
communities, blogs, and other
resources for you. Take a look over all
of these things and I encourage you to
talk with your significant other and
your friends and family about this.

Although I am not in an intimate
relationship, I think it could
definitely help ease my mind
and also help me to take
proactive steps in reducing my
risk. I want to live a healthy and
safe life and knowing that I am
of high risk and having sex, I
think it would be a great option
for me. And I’d like to learn
more.

Wow, it seems like you have a pretty good
idea for why you’re interested in the
medication. I think for someone like you it
could be a good fit. Of course since you are
not currently in a relationship, you can
make the decision to start now or later, but
I’d love to talk more about it with you.

So, before we actually talk more
about PrEP and your usage, I’d like to
perform an HIV test just to be sure
you are in fact HIV-negative and
eligible. I’d also like to know more
about your sexual history…

Knowing more about your sexual history and your
interest in PrEP, I have a personalized prevention strategy
for you that I’ve included with some more info on PrEP,
cost and assistance. Remember, PrEP is not a substitute
for healthy safe sex practices. It should be used in
addition to these practices. So, when you do decide to be
sexually active, I would check over this strategy again.

If you agree to all of those things, I would like to talk more
about starting PrEP whenever you are ready. Take a look over
everything, and how about we schedule a follow up within the
two weeks to give you some time to think things through?

wonderful decision. I also provided some
support resources in terms of others
who have taken PrEP, support
communities, blogs, and other resources
for you. Take a look over all of these
things and I encourage you to talk with
your friends and family about this and
get input from whomever you trust.

And the same goes for when you begin an
intimate relationship or decide to have sex,
think about these things and discuss them
beforehand. Don’t be afraid to assert what
you want for your health, you’re taking
control of your health and your life and that’s
something no one else can do for you. But
feel strong, our team here is behind you, and
you’re making the right decision.

Hey babe, nothing much.
Watching the game or
whatever…

Why you look like that?
What’s wrong?

Well… I wanted to talk to you
about something. It’s kind of
important.

Okay so in class we’ve been
learning a lot about HIV and
different prevention methods…
Did you know that black women
have one of the highest HIV
rates in the country?

Nah, didn’t know
that… What’s this got
to do with us though,
babe?

Well… after some consideration,
I think I would like to talk to you
about practicing safer sex. First
off, we need to use condoms
consistently, period.

Whoa whoa, where is
all of this coming
from?

I think it’s the best idea to
keep us protected from STDs,
HIV, and I know you’re not
tryna lose your scholarship for
no baby…

Okay but didn’t we
both agree that we
liked it better without
condoms?

Yeah it’s nice no doubt, but
STDs and pregnancy aren’t so
nice…

Well, we don’t have
much to worry about
since we’re not seeing
anyone else, right?

Yeah we aren’t seeing anyone
but we also aren’t with one
another 24/7… I’m not saying
I don’t trust you, all I’m saying
is, mistakes happen… And I
don’t want to be on the other
end of a positive HIV test for a
silly mistake…

What? So you’re saying
I’m a cheater now?

No! Not saying that at all… All I’m
saying is… we have to make a decision
either for better health or to play
Russian roulette with our lives. We’ve
come too far to be another statistic. I
know we’re committed to one
another and I trust you, I just want to
reduce our risk of anything that could
potentially damage our relationship…
that leads me to my last point… I’m
thinking about taking PrEP…

It’s Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, it’s a
daily pill that prevents you from
contracting HIV… Basically reducing
your risk by 90% for just taking it alone
and then coupling that with condoms
and other safe sex practices… it’s
practically impossible to have any
negative consequences from sex at
all… only the pleasure none of the
pain…

….okay well…I
guess if it’s the
best decision
for you…

It is… it’s just to be on the safe side…
no worries, no nothing…

Alright well… I mean, go
ahead and do what you have
to do… I just don’t want
people to look at us all weird
like we got AIDS or
something… or look at you
like that.

Who cares what people think! This is
about me living a healthy and happy
life, I know who I’ve been with and
what I’m doing this for. It’s not for
people with HIV, it’s for people who
want to make the smart decision to
protect themselves from the
possibility of even having it in the first
place.

But what if people think
you’re like… idk sleeping
around or something?

There are tons of people on PrEP who
aren’t even sexually active but they
know the risk and they know it’s the
right decision. Looking at the rates of
HIV in this country, and in this city
alone, I’m like an open target… I’m not
trying to get hit by any easy shots, I’ve
got my protection and if that makes
me look like a ho then I’ll be a happy
and safe ho all day long without HIV.

Alright… alright… well… just
tell me what the doctor says
when you start taking it okay?
I just want you to be happy… I
love you.

I will be… And I am… I love you
too.

Well… after some consideration,
I think I would like to talk to you
about practicing safer sex. First
off, I would like to thank you for
keeping us safe by using
condoms and I’d like to do that
consistently.

Also, looking at the risk we have to
catch HIV… Yo, we’ve come too far to
be another statistic. And I know we’re
committed to one another and I trust
you, I just want to reduce our risk of
anything that could potentially
damage our relationship… that leads
me to my last point… I’m thinking
about taking PrEP…

We’re already being safe with
condoms and we’re not
seeing anyone else so… I
don’t even know why you
need it…

Yes, but it’s just to be on the safe
side… condoms aren’t 100% effective,
and sometimes we have mishaps or
sometimes things break or mistakes
happen regardless of how faithful we
are to one another.

Hey girl, what are you
up to?

Nothing much, about to
go to dinner, what about
you?

Nothing really… I
wanted to talk to you
about something.

Well, you were in class when
they talked about the risk for
HIV in Black women right?

I know! Well… I talked to Daniel
and he was like I should think
about safe sex practices now
before I get into a relationship.

Right right, makes
sense. Gotta stay up…

So I went to my doctor and
talked to her about this new HIV
prevention method PrEP…

Oh the once-a day pill
thing?

Yeah, and she thinks I could do
it… What do you think?

Well... I mean you
aren’t doin nothing
outlandish are you?

So why worry about
it, you ain’t no slut or
nothing…

You don’t have to be! Seriously boys
really be playin you out here and you
never know who’s faithful. And you
don’t know who these boys have been
messing with… it’s hard out here for
real… Plus condoms and stuff aren’t
always that reliable, they can reduce
the risk greatly but what happens if he
puts it on wrong or if he forgets? I
don’t want the rest of my life in his
hands! I’m gonna do what I need to
do to protect me, you feel me?

You right… I feel
that… So what you
gonna do?

I don’t know… I know I’m keeping it on
my radar but who know’s when I’ll get
into a relationship… I’m still gonna
meet with my doctor and see what
she thinks is best… I just want to be
safe, I’m not tryna be another statistic.
I’ve come too far to mess up now.

Yo I’m with you… Tell
me what your doctor
says… shoot, I may
even think about it
myself.

Bet… I’ll keep you updated.

Alright, well I gotta go
but I’ll catch you
later… I’m really
proud of you, girl…
For real, this is a huge
decision and a great
step forward.

I’ll catch you later.
(Kisses)

Morgan stares out window, smiling and on the phone with
her doctor, deciding to take PrEP.

Hello this is Morgan
Graves… I would like to
make an appointment
with Dr. Andrews?

PrEP: Your Life Matters

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to PrEP: Your Life Matters

Similar to PrEP: Your Life Matters (20)

More from Amy P McIntosh

More from Amy P McIntosh (6)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

PrEP: Your Life Matters