HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Use Among Female Sexual Assault Victims

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HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Use Among Ontario Female Adolescent

Sexual Assault Victims: A Prospective Analysis

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 35; No. 12: P. 973-978

(12..08):: Janice Du Mont, EdD; Terri L. Myhr, MSc; Husson,

BA; Sheila Macdonald, MN; Anita Rachlis, MD; Mona R. Loutfy, MD, MPH

The authors examined HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) - its

provision, uptake, adherence, and other related factors - among

female sexual assault survivors from September 2003 to January 2005.

Sexual assault patients of all ages were universally offered PEP

through the HIV PEP Project. The investigators collected baseline and

follow-up data from consecutive clients seen at 18 hospital-based

sexual assault treatment centers in Ontario.

Among 386 patients, 94.5 percent were single, 68 percent lived with

their family, and 67.4 percent were attending school. Just 42.7

percent accepted PEP and 33.6 percent completed the 28-day course of

drugs. The factors associated with uptake were provider

encouragement, being a student, and being moderately to highly

anxious. Completion of the full PEP course was associated with being

white and knowing the assailant for less than 24 hours.

" Our findings highlight the importance of the health care provider's

role in counseling sexually assaulted female adolescents about HIV

PEP use, " concluded the authors. " The results also suggest that at-

risk adolescents not enrolled in school and those from culturally

diverse backgrounds may require additional supports. "

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HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Use Among Ontario Female Adolescent

Sexual Assault Victims: A Prospective Analysis.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 35(12):973-978, December 2008.

Du Mont, Janice EdD *+; Myhr, Terri L. MSc *; Husson, BA ++;

Macdonald, Sheila MN [//]; Rachlis, Anita MD [P]#; Loutfy, Mona R.

MD, MPH *#

Abstract:

Background: This study examined the use of HIV postexposure

prophylaxis (PEP) among sexually assaulted adolescent females.

Methods: We analyzed data from the HIV PEP Project, an implementation

and evaluation of a program of universal offering of PEP to sexual

assault victims of all ages. Baseline and follow-up data were

collected prospectively from consecutive clients seen at 18 hospital-

based sexual assault treatment centers in Ontario, Canada from

September 2003 to January 2005. Among 386 at-risk female adolescents,

we examined the provision and uptake of and adherence to PEP, and

factors related to antiretroviral acceptance and completion.

Results: Most adolescents were single (94.5%), living with family

(68.0%), and attending school (67.4%). Slightly over two-fifths

(42.7%) accepted and one-third (33.6%) completed the 28-day course of

PEP. Factors associated with PEP acceptance were health care provider

encouragement, being a student, and being moderately-to-highly

anxious. PEP completion was associated with being white and an

assailant known less than 24 hours.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of the health care

provider's role in counseling sexually assaulted female adolescents

about HIV PEP use. The results also suggest that at-risk adolescents

not enrolled in school and those from culturally diverse backgrounds

may require additional supports.

© Copyright 2008 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association