P067 Extending PrEP prescriptions from 3 to 6 months did not significantly impact uptake of HIV and STI testing

• Published in: Sexually transmitted infections Vol. 99; no. Suppl 1; p. A55
• Main Authors: Maxwell, Lesley, Grimshaw, Ceilidh, Ward, Pauline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Prescriptions
• ISSN: 1368-4973; 1472-3263
• DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-BASHH-2023.106

IntroductionThere is extremely high demand for PrEP in this Scottish city sexual health service. 1879 individuals were prescribed PrEP in the year to August 2022. Local data demonstrated most patients do not have additional renal risk factors. In an attempt to improve the use of our available resources, we extended three-monthly reviews/prescriptions with medical/senior nursing staff to six-monthly with interim “test only” appointments with health-care support workers. Exclusions to this were first PrEP review after initiation or medically/socially complex. Patients were sent a reminder SMS to book appointments. We explored whether this change impacted the uptake of 3 monthly HIV/STI testing.MethodsA retrospective case note review of the first 95 patients in January 2022 (pre-change) and the first 95 patients in March 22 (post change) was carried out. We documented uptake of a further appointment and type of appointment (test only versus clinical review). Tests carried out within 4 months were deemed acceptable.ResultsFor patients attending pre-change:• 69% attended a review appointment within four months.For patients attending post-change:• 70% attended an appointment within four months.• 43% of patients had this follow up in a “test only” appointment.• 19% booked a clinical review in error when it should have been “test only”.• No-one booked “test only” in error.Discussion and conclusionThere was no significant difference in the percentage of patients booking follow up within four months of initial prescription demonstrating that in terms of STI/HIV testing uptake, it was appropriate to extend PrEP prescriptions from three monthly to six monthly.