Register      Login
Sexual Health Sexual Health Society
Publishing on sexual health from the widest perspective
RESEARCH ARTICLE

What is the extent of repeat prescriptions for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV after sexual exposure among men who have sex with men in the UK?

Carrie Llewellyn A C , Harriet Martin A and Eileen Nixon B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Division of Public Health and Primary Care, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Room 317 Mayfield House, Village Way, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PU, UK.

B Department of Genitourinary Medicine/HIV, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE, UK.

C Corresponding author. Email: c.d.llewellyn@bsms.ac.uk

Sexual Health 13(6) 595-596 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH16115
Submitted: 7 June 2016  Accepted: 29 July 2016   Published: 7 October 2016

Abstract

People who repeatedly present for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for prevention of HIV following a high-risk sexual exposure are of concern according to the British HIV Association PEP guidelines. The aim of this audit was to determine the extent of repeat PEP prescriptions for men who have sex with men (MSM) by conducting a retrospective review of patient notes from a 5-year period at one genitourinary medicine clinic. Over the 5 years, 107 of 929 MSM (11.5%; 95% confidence interval: 9.45–13.55) received more than one PEP prescription (repeat range 1–8; mean = 3.3, s.d. = 1.44). Forty percent of these had received three or more PEP prescriptions. Seven of the 107 became HIV positive. Patients need to be offered and encouraged to take up behavioural risk reduction interventions at the time of each PEP prescription.


References

[1]  Fisher M, Benn P, Evans B, et al United Kingdom guidelines for the use of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV following sexual exposure. Int J STD AIDS 2006; 17 81–92.
United Kingdom guidelines for the use of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV following sexual exposure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16464267PubMed |

[2]  Richens J, Edwards SG, Sadiq ST. Can the promotion of post-exposure prophlaxis following sexual exposure to HIV (PEPSE) cause harm? Sex Transm Dis 2005; 81 190–1.
Can the promotion of post-exposure prophlaxis following sexual exposure to HIV (PEPSE) cause harm?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2M3nvFyjsw%3D%3D&md5=690f198b53b0ec8c83fd2874459af4ceCAS |

[3]  Sayer C, Fisher M, Nixon E, et al Will I, won’t I? Why do MSM present for PEPSE? Sex Transm Infect 2009; 85 206–11.
Will I, won’t I? Why do MSM present for PEPSE?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1MznsFCmuw%3D%3D&md5=c38eb085b5b4e411f279690c4fefbe95CAS | 19074929PubMed |

[4]  Armishaw J, Hoy J, Watson K, et al Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis in Victoria, Australia: responding to high rates of re-presentation and low rates of follow-up. Int J STD AIDS 2011; 22 714–8.
Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis in Victoria, Australia: responding to high rates of re-presentation and low rates of follow-up.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38%2FnvVehtA%3D%3D&md5=139bfffc0b589d9c5b2fa97c39d54640CAS | 22174051PubMed |

[5]  Donnell D, Mimiaga M, Mayer K, et al Use of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis does not lead to an increase in high risk sex behaviors in men who have sex with men participating in the EXPLORE trial. AIDS Behav 2010; 14 1182–9.
Use of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis does not lead to an increase in high risk sex behaviors in men who have sex with men participating in the EXPLORE trial.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20490908PubMed |

[6]  Lunding S, Katzenstein TL, Kronborg G, et al The Danish PEP registry: experience with the use of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) following sexual exposure to HIV from 1998 to 2006. Sex Transm Dis 2010; 37 49–52.
The Danish PEP registry: experience with the use of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) following sexual exposure to HIV from 1998 to 2006.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19734819PubMed |

[7]  Schechter M, do Lago RF, Mendelsohn AB, et al Behavioural impact, acceptability, and HIV incidence among homosexual men with access to postexposure chemoprophylaxis for HIV. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2004; 35 519–25.
Behavioural impact, acceptability, and HIV incidence among homosexual men with access to postexposure chemoprophylaxis for HIV.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15021317PubMed |

[8]  Sonder G, Van Den Hoek ARR, Brinkman K, et al Trends in HIV post exposure prophylaxis prescription and compliance after sexual exposure in Amsterdam, 2000–2004. Sex Transm Dis 2007; 34 288–93.
| 16980918PubMed |

[9]  Tissot F, Erard V, Dang T, et al HIV post-exposure prophylaxis: a 10-year retrospective analysis. HIV Med 2010; 11 584–92.
HIV post-exposure prophylaxis: a 10-year retrospective analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cfjtFSruw%3D%3D&md5=be7ca378cc7bd569abd8649c4927af7dCAS | 20345883PubMed |