Each year, approximately two million new HIV infections are reported worldwide. About one decade ago, a company called Gilead Sciences Inc. discovered a new HIV prevention method named as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). When high adherence was kept among high-risk population, PrEP efficacy could reach as high as 99%. However, the adverse effects have been reported from time to time, including low efficacy in certain cases, adherence difficulties and medicinal side effects. In this review, we would summarize the progress of PrEP since its introduction in order to provide insights for HIV prevention.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that causes infections and over time leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV causes a loss of immune function in human and subsequent development of opportunistic infections. Namibia, one important country in West Africa, has been suffering HIV/AIDS incidence over years. Among people between 15 to 49 years old, the national HIV prevalence rate is more than 10%, which causes huge health and economic loss. Recently, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been approved in Namibia for better prevention of HIV/AIDS. In this paper, we will review the current epidemic condition of HIV and the role played by PrEP in Namibia.