Adherence and Characteristics of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for a Population in Tel Aviv of Men who have Sex with Men

• Published in: The Israel Medical Association journal Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 257 - 261
• Main Authors: Oz, Noam, Alon, Danny, Stein, Gideon Y, Turner, Dan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Israel 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-HIV Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-HIV Agents - adverse effects; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions - epidemiology; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions - etiology; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions - psychology; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Infections - psychology; Humans; Israel - epidemiology; Male; Medication Adherence - statistics & numerical data; Patient Preference - statistics & numerical data; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis - methods; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis - organization & administration; Preventive Health Services - methods; Preventive Health Services - standards; Quality Improvement; Sexual and Gender Minorities - psychology; Sexual and Gender Minorities - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 1565-1088

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for populations at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is still not available in Israel. To analyze post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment adherence rates among adult men in Tel Aviv, Israel, who have sex with men (MSM), and to obtain data on the demographics of PEP users, exposure types, timeline of exposure and PEP administration, incidence of side effects, number of treatments per individual, and satisfaction with selected elements of treatment provision. The authors conducted an observational cohort study of adult MSM who requested PEP treatment in the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Information from patients receiving treatment between January 2013 and June 2014 was obtained through telephone interviews by means of a 30-item questionnaire. Of 336 individuals requesting PEP treatment, 255 (75.9%) were adult MSM, and 100 (39.2%) satisfactorily completed the interview. The average age of the study cohort was 32.4 years (standard deviation of 7.5). Ninety-one (91%) reported completing a full 28-day course of treatment, 84% reported side effects, and 20% underwent multiple courses. Satisfaction was high for interactions with the HIV specialists. Patient experience with PEP treatment in the emergency room setting, and follow-up were inadequate deficient. PEP adherence rates in Tel Aviv were significantly higher than previously reported. PEP should be administered in designated community settings. PrEP as a general treatment policy might suit the MSM population in Tel Aviv.