Amara: So what are you doing for the weekend?
Zuzu: First of all I’m going to see Maani the sweetheart for my dinner, then I am going to a party with DMan and, tonight, I’m dressed to kill!
Amara: You always slay it, babe.
Zuzu: So what are you doing? Staying in with Abi? Doing your love tings…
Amara: Eish you Zuzu!
Zuzu: Hey wena! Don't try pretending that you're innocent. You guys better be using condoms.
Amara: Well, some of the time…
Ibra (Entering): Hey! Is this a girly talk?
Amara: Ha! No Ibra, come in.
Zuzu: Yeah! We were discussing something we all have in common: how to get boys to behave themselves.
Ibra: Oh my God! It’s a nightmare trying to get some of these tough guys to use condoms.
Amara: Tell me about it. My Abi, he’s always asking if we can do it raw. And I’m like “am I really the only one?” I’m scared I’m gonna catch something.
Zuzu: Guys, I have a solution to both of your problems. My guy Maani doesn’t like condoms either. So I make sure I am prepared. I take this new drug called PrEP.
Ibra: PrEP?
Zuzu: PrEP is a medicine that blocks HIV. You take it when you are negative. And you start using it before you have sex. It will make your system strong against the virus.
Ibra: So is it like a pill or what?
Zuzu: Yeah I take it as a pill. But you can get it as an injection. And there’s another thing - it is a ring you put inside your… you know where.
Amara: With Abi, I was planning to put a ring on it – but now I’m going to put one in it!
Zuzu: Ha! That’s modern love, babe.
Ibra: So do a lot of couples use PrEP?
Zuzu: I’ve heard PrEP has literally saved relationships and lives. like if you’re with someone who has HIV and want to get it on. Or if a someone loves their guy but also wants to make extra sure they’re in control of their own health and future. Cos even if you use condoms, PrEP is like another line of defence against the virus.
Ibra: Babe, I’m so glad you told me about this. Cos I swear that no matter how much I try to be good, I always seem to meet some guy who just won’t use a condom.
Zuzu: No worries dude. But you should still use condoms if you can. PrEP only stops HIV, you can still get other infections - like gonorrhea, Hepatitis and a load of other nasty crap that will make your bits itch like you sat in an ant’s nest.
Ibra: Damn! Well, yeah then it’s condoms first every time.
Zuzu: Right, but then you can be taking PrEP as a back-up.
Ibra: So where can we find out more about PrEP?
Zuzu: They sell it at the bigger pharmacies, so they can tell you there. And there is plenty information online.
Ibra: Cool babe. Come on Amara, let’s search for PrEP online now.
Amara: I’m on it already! There’s loads about it on this site called “Be In The Know”.
Zuzu: Yebo! Now you Be in the KNOW about PrEP!
