Post-exposure prophylaxis after non-occupational exposure to HIV in Greece.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the use of post-exposure prophylaxis after a non-occupational exposure to HIV in Greece.


METHODS
We analysed the data that were reported to the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention by physicians who requested non-occupational post-exposure to HIV prophylaxis (NONOPEP).


RESULTS
During the period January 1996-June 2005 inclusive, 159 persons received NONOPEP (116 males, 42 females and 1 unknown). Fifty-three per cent of the males sought NONOPEP because of an exposure to sperm and vaginal secretions, while 35.7% of the females were exposed to sperm. Unprotected sex was the main reported cause of exposure to HIV (38.36%) followed by condom rupture (35.85%). For 110 (69.18%) persons, it was the first time they were prescribed NONOPEP.


CONCLUSIONS
The current surveillance system in Greece should be further developed to include the documentation of potential drug-toxicity, side effects and adherence to the prophylaxis. The health educational role of the nurse in HIV prevention in Greece should be developed.
Raftopoulos
V
V
Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV Office, Athens, Greece. v_raftop@yahoo.gr
Nikolopoulos
G
G
Konte
V
V
Pylli
M
M
Tsiara
C
C
Makri
E
E
Paraskeva
D
D
D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D047568:Unsafe Sex
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents