Awareness of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure and emergency hormonal contraception in HIV-positive women.
Women attending a dedicated medical gynaecology and family planning referral clinic for women with HIV were surveyed using a standard questionnaire about their knowledge and attitudes to post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure (PEPSE) and emergency hormonal contraception (EHC). Eighty percent of them had not heard of PEPSE, but once informed about it, 86% said they would inform a partner about it. Less than 10% had any idea of the duration of effectiveness. Seventy-three percent of the women knew about EC and 45% of them had used it previously. Ninety-eight percent of them would use it in the future if necessary. Eighty percent of them knew its period of effectiveness. There is a clear need for information about PEPSE, which needs to be delivered around the time of HIV diagnosis and reinforced later. Some women will need help in discussing it with HIV-negative partners.
Samuel
M
M
Department of Sexual Health, The Caldecot Centre, Kings College Hospital NHS Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK. ittysamuel@hotmail.co.uk
Taylor
C
C
Brady
M
M
McDonald
C
C
Poulton
M
M
Tenant-Flowers
M
M
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000379:methods*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital