IS IT SAFE TO PROVIDE 28 DAY POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) PACKS IN SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND SEXUAL ASSAULT REFERRAL CENTRES?

ABSTRACT

Introduction Since the beginning of COVID lockdown, we have provided 28 day PEP packs from sexual health clinics, emergency departments and sexual assault referral centres to minimise number of patient contacts. This study is to look at the provision of PEP since the new initiative. Methods Patients who attended our hospital emergency department, sexual assault referral centre, and sexual health clinics between March 2020 and October 2021 were randomly selected. Retrospective patient records were reviewed and the BHIVA 2015 PEP standards were used. Results 434 patients and 468 PEP prescriptions were included. 384 (88%) were male, in whom 337 (87.8%) were MSM. 166 (38.2%) were from our emergency department. 401 (85.7%) were after sexual exposure, 56 (20.0%) were occupational exposure. 413 (88.2%) prescriptions met criteria for initiation, 43 (9.2%) did not and 3 (0.6%) had insufficient information. 448 (95.7%) had baseline blood tests. 28 (6%) did not attend sexual health clinic for follow up. 255 (54.5%) had repeat HIV test after 8-12 weeks of exposure. 213 (45.5%) did not have repeat test. STI screening was performed in 368 (78%) attendances and 106 infections were identified. Discussion The majority of PEP was prescribed appropriately and baseline testing was performed in most cases. Out study demonstrates the safety of 28-day PEP pack being issued in settings other than sexual health clinics. Post-PEP HIV testing remains poor, which is consistent with other national audits. This highlights the need for focussed work to improve followup attendance.