Nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis source tracing: is it really feasible in Australia?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• HIV Prevention

Background:

• Nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis (NPEP) is crucial for preventing HIV transmission.
• A Swiss study demonstrated success in reducing unnecessary NPEP prescriptions through source-partner tracing.
• Replicating this strategy in Australia aimed to improve NPEP effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of replicating a Swiss source-tracing model for NPEP in Australia.
• To assess the impact of HIV rapid testing and mobile services on source-partner recruitment.
• To identify barriers to implementing source-tracing for NPEP in an Australian setting.

Main Methods:

• Patients presenting for NPEP with an unknown HIV status source were invited to participate.
• Participants were asked to contact their source partner to discuss HIV testing.
• The study incorporated HIV rapid testing and a mobile service approach.

Main Results:

• The study failed to enroll any source partners.
• The source-tracing initiative was terminated due to lack of enrollment.
• No data on the effectiveness of source-tracing in this Australian cohort was obtained.

Conclusions:

• Source tracing for NPEP is likely unfeasible in Australia.
• Differences between Swiss and Australian healthcare systems or social factors may explain the failure.
• Further research is needed to understand barriers to HIV source-partner tracing in Australia.