Attitudes to prevention among HIV-infected patients: the case of specific prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
Despite a consensus on the need for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis for HIV-infected patients with fewer than 200 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm3, the number of cases of PCP has remained stable, and about 70% involve patients who are not receiving prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to determine why these patients are not covered by prophylaxis. It was based on a retrospective analysis of semidirective interviews with 32 patients who developed PCP while not receiving prophylaxis. The reasons given were a lack of knowledge of risk factors for HIV infection, the fear of HIV testing, unawareness of the existence of PCP prophylaxis, a refusal to see a doctor in the absence of symptoms, unwillingness to be monitored and in four cases a failure of the doctor to prescribe prophylaxis.
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, School of Medicine St. Antoine, Paris, France.
A
A
Auperin
C
C
Chouaid
V H
VH
des Fontaines
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010297:Paris / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011292:Premedication; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*