title: HIV non-occupational postexposure prophylaxis in a Canadian province: treatment completion and follow-up testing.
abstract: Provincial guidelines for HIV non-occupational postexposure prophylaxis (NPEP) were implemented on January 2005 in Alberta, Canada. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) NPEP was provided free of charge following approval by a medical officer of health. Between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2007, 174 individuals were prescribed NPEP; 135 (78%) were women with a median age of 24 years. Sexual assaults accounted for 68% of exposures. NPEP was completed in 49% of cases. Individuals who completed NPEP were less likely to have been exposed by sexual assault (P = 0.04) and more likely to have received HIV follow-up testing (P = 0.03).Individuals who received at least one HIV follow-up test were older (P = 0.03) and more likely to have been exposed percutaneously (P = 0.003). Those who received no follow-up testing were less likely to have filled an NPEP prescription (P = 0.0001). New strategies are required to improve follow-up of individuals receiving NPEP, especially younger persons or sexual assault survivors.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Health Services, Capital Health, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Plitt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foisy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents