Factors influencing human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis requests after low-risk occupational exposure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors influencing human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) requests after "low-risk" occupational exposure.


METHODS
We analyzed data from low-risk occupational exposures reported between January 1999 and May 2000.


RESULTS
A total of 318 low-risk occupational exposures were reported. No worker demographic variable, exposure method, or exposure type was associated with increased PEP requests. Exposed workers were more likely to request PEP if the source patient was unknown or 18 to 49 years old. No other source patient demographic variable was associated with increased PEP requests.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that workers who experienced a low-risk occupational exposure were more likely to request PEP when the source patient was unknown or 18 to 49 years of age. No other factors were associated with increased PEP requests.
Eastham
John H
JH
Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134-1113, USA. john@projectcompassion.org
Edwards
Kathleen A
KA
Godwin
Eugene
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents