AEGiS-14IAC: ARV dual therapy for HIV prevention as part of care for victims of sexual violence: a 2 years experience in Brazzaville (Congo, 2000-2001).

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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ARV dual therapy for HIV prevention as part of care for victims of sexual violence: a 2 years experience in Brazzaville (Congo, 2000-2001).

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. MoOrD1109)

Belanger F, Malonga M, Duguey O, Garcia M, Ebandza J, Mbemba A, Salignon P, Legros D
Epicentre, Paris, France

BACKGROUND: An estimated 800,000 displaced people were affected by the war in Congo-Brazzaville. Returnees came back to Brazzaville from May 1999 until February 2000. In addition to medical and nutritional support to returnees, Medecins sans Frontieres reinforced the Congolese program for the victims of sexual violence who were numerous during repatriation and continued to report afterwards.

METHODS: Physical medical care, psychological and legal support were offered to all victims who presented themselves to the consultation of Makelekele hospital. For victims of recent rape (<72hours) HIV (Lamivudine+Zidovudine for 28 days) and STD prophylaxis as well as contraception were proposed systematically.

RESULTS: From March 2000 to December 2001, 294 victims of sexual violence consulted the program (1 male). 151 (51%) were less than 18 years old (18% < 13 years old). 150 (51%) women supported a collective rape. 80 (27%) women were pregnant and 7 (2%) were HIV positive at admission. Out of 214 (73%) women who benefited from psychological support, 99 (46%) were followed afterwards. Among 110 victims who presented <72h after the rape, 94 (86%) received STD prophylaxis, 57 (52%) were given a contraceptive and 89 (81%) received ARV (of whom 62, 56% during 28 days). No major side effects of ARV were reported, no HIV seroconversion was observed 3 and 6 months after prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary support to victims of rape can be organised in precarious settings. HIV prophylaxis in addition to STD prophylaxis and contraception can be proposed, accepted and well tolerated by victims. Such programs can help reducing the individual impact of sexual violence.

Keywords: AEGIS, Violence, Rape, HIV Infections, War, Time, Counseling, Mental Disorders, HIV Seropositivity, Congo, Human, Female, Male, Pregnancy, therapy, prevention & controlKWDaegis,violence,rape,hivinfections,war,time,counseling,mentaldisorders,hivseropositivity,congo,human,female,male,pregnancy,therapy,prevention&control

020707
MoOrD1109

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.