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A Jamaican woman who has been living with HIV for 18 years is urging her fellow citizens to stay vigilant, even as the world celebrates the arrival of a new drug designed to prevent the virus. She warns that while the breakthrough is promising, it should not lead to complacency or risky behaviour.

"You just cannot be too careful so don't let down your guard," cautioned Alicia Anderson, days after the Food and Drug Administration in the United States of America approved the use of the Lenacapavir last Wednesday.

Clinical trials that showed 99.9 per cent of participants who received the drug, a twice yearly injection, remained HIV negative.

Anderson sees the scientific breakthrough as critical, given the current rise in risky behaviours and the proliferation of unfiltered sexual content online.

"Probably 18 years ago, if they had come up with the drug, it would not have been this effective. With the music and the pornography and everything that is going on, I think now is the right time. Back then, the cases weren't that high, so people would think they do not have a reason to take it, but now with the cases rising and everything is getting crazy, the time is now," Anderson reasoned.

In 2024, UNAIDS said approximately 30,000 people in Jamaica are infected with the virus. The report says 91 per cent of Jamaicans living with HIV are aware of their status, but only 49 per cent of those are on antiretroviral treatment.

Among those who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus are sex workers, one of who told THE STAR she does not engage in unprotected sex.

"I will never sleep with anyone without a condom. A nuff time mi go work and barely go home with anything because man want it raw, and all willing to pay more," said the 31-year old woman.

"Sometimes dem come wid dem ginal self a seh dem nuh have any condoms, or dem allergic, but mi always have my protection, and who say dem allergic can't get my niceness," she said.

The woman, who says she takes a HIV test at least four times per year, welcomes the news of the new prevention drug, but says one cannot be too careful.

"We just can't be too careful because none of us know what we partner a do," she said.

"Yes, the drug is a blessing, but dat nuh mean we fi let go we body raw like that. A whole heap a other tings out deh fi catch," she said.

"Some man who mi sleep wid just need a halo round dem head fi be an angel, and den dem go home to dem wife. Mi a nuh did only girl sell dem, suh mi a tell di oman dem fi stop swear fi dem man and use protection," she said.