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12th Annual Conference of the British HIV Association29 March–1 April 2006, Brighton, UK |
KNOWLEDGE OF HIV POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS IN HIV-POSITIVE AND HIV-NEGATIVE MEN IN AN URBAN CLINIC POPULATION
HIV Med 2006; 7(Suppl. 1):7 (abstract no. O26)
Shamela de Silva1, Rob Miller1 and John Walsh2
1 Mortimer Market Centre, Camden PCT, London, 2 St Mary’s Hospital, London, UK
INTRODUCTION: HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is increasingly used following possible sexual exposure. It is unclear how aware patients are of PEP as this is not routinely discussed in genitourinary (GU) or HIV clinics.
METHODS: A prospective questionnaire survey was carried out at a central London clinic in December 2004. Respondents were 100 men attending a walk-in GU clinic and 100 men attending the HIV clinic.
RESULTS: Of HIV-positive patients, 52% were aware of PEP; only 19% had discussed PEP with a doctor, although 47% had been screened for sexually transmitted infections. 84% of those aware were MSM. 57% had recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). (Of these, 17% had UAI with >5 partners and 23% thought it probable that they had sex with a person of discordant HIV status, but none had discussed PEP.) Another 19% had discussed PEP with a partner; all were using condoms. 54% of HIV-positive men unaware of PEP had had recent UAI with >1 partner. 19% of GU patients were aware of PEP; 56% of which were MSM. 63% had a previous negative HIV test. Of the 82% not aware of PEP, 18% were MSM and 0.08% heterosexual with endemic risk of HIV acquisition. 76% would consider using PEP. However, of 17% reporting UAI (1/2 with >1 partner), only 1/8 would consider PEP, despite 1/4 estimating probable HIV exposure. No men had been sexually assaulted.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that most men attending this centre are unaware of PEP as an intervention to reduce HIV transmission. This includes those at highest risk of acquiring HIV and HIV-positive men having UAI with multiple partners.
2006-03-29
O26
Copyright © 2006 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD