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Published on: January 31, 2020
Postexposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure to HIV.
1Positive Health (AIDS) Program at San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, California 94110, USA. mroland@php.ucsf.edu
Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) can reduce HIV risk after sexual exposure, but it is not completely protective. Maximizing adherence and minimizing further exposures are key to its effectiveness in HIV prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Sexual Health
Background:
- HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a recommended intervention following potential sexual exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Recent data review the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and challenges of PEP, particularly in diverse populations and settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on the effectiveness of HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and associated prevention counseling.
- To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different PEP prescribing strategies.
- To discuss antiretroviral options and challenges in delivering PEP to specific populations, including adolescents, children, and survivors of sexual assault in high HIV prevalence areas.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent data and guidelines regarding HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).
- Analysis of cost-effectiveness of targeted versus less restrictive PEP prescription approaches.
- Discussion of challenges in implementing PEP programs in resource-limited settings and for vulnerable groups.
Main Results:
- HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not fully protective; seroconversion can occur due to antiretroviral failure or ongoing exposures.
- PEP associated risk reduction counseling effectively reduces subsequent risk behaviors.
- Targeted outreach programs for PEP are cost-effective, whereas less restrictive guidelines for low-risk exposures are not.
- Tenofovir demonstrates promising properties for PEP, though ideal antiretrovirals are not yet established.
- Delivering PEP effectively to children, adolescents, and sexual assault survivors in high HIV prevalence, resource-limited settings presents significant challenges.
Conclusions:
- International guidelines recommend HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after potential sexual exposure.
- Enhancing the effectiveness of PEP as an HIV prevention strategy hinges on maximizing patient adherence and minimizing subsequent HIV exposures.
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