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Evaluation of the impact of human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis on new human immunodeficiency virus diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keane, A; Regan, S O; Quinn, L; Murphy, D; Kelly, B O; Lynam, A; Lyons, F; Devitt, E.
  • Keane A; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Regan SO; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Quinn L; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Murphy D; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Kelly BO; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Lynam A; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Lyons F; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Devitt E; Department of Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 58024GUIDE Clinic, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Int J STD AIDS ; 33(1): 99-102, 2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1542034
ABSTRACT

AIMS:

The national PrEP programme launched in Ireland in November 2019 with tenofovir/emtricitabine free to those meeting eligibility criteria. We assessed the impact of the first year of the PrEP programme on new HIV diagnoses in the largest sexual health and HIV service in Ireland.

METHODS:

A free PrEP service was established in November 2019. We reviewed the number of new diagnoses of HIV between November 2018-2019, before the introduction of the national PrEP programme and compared this with the number of new HIV diagnosis between November 2019-2020.

RESULTS:

There were 95 new HIV diagnoses (63.3% MSM) between November 2018 and 2019 and 73 new HIV diagnoses (65.7% MSM) between November 2019 and 2020. There was a statistically significant decline in new HIV diagnoses between the 2 years (P = 0.0003). 546 patients were prescribed PrEP as of December 2020.106 patients (19.4%) changed their PrEP dosing regimen due to lockdown. 178 individuals (32.6%) had a rectal infection diagnosed.

CONCLUSION:

There has been a reduction in new HIV diagnoses in our cohort (although this has occurred during a global pandemic). It is too early to say if PrEP reduces late presentations of HIV based on our findings. A significant number of rectal infections were identified in the PrEP clinic suggesting ongoing risk despite pandemic restrictions. Further research into sexual practices during COVID-19 is needed to assess if this had an impact on the lower rates of HIV acquisition.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: HIV Infections / Anti-HIV Agents / Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / Sexual and Gender Minorities / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Int J STD AIDS Journal subject: SINDROME DA IMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (AIDS) Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 09564624211054587

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: HIV Infections / Anti-HIV Agents / Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / Sexual and Gender Minorities / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid Limits: Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Int J STD AIDS Journal subject: SINDROME DA IMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (AIDS) Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 09564624211054587