Spare non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis by active contacting and testing of the source person.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_8C10FAA28952
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Spare non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis by active contacting and testing of the source person.
Journal
AIDS
Author(s)
Greub G., Gallant S., Zurn P., Vannotti M., Bürgisser P., Francioli P., Zanetti G., Telenti A.
ISSN
0269-9370
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2002
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
16
Number
8
Pages
1171-1176
Language
english
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: HIV-1 post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is frequently prescribed after exposure to source persons with an undetermined HIV serostatus. To reduce unnecessary use of PEP, we implemented a policy including active contacting of source persons and the availability of free, anonymous HIV testing ('PEP policy'). METHODS: All consultations for potential non-occupational HIV exposures i.e. outside the medical environment) were prospectively recorded. The impact of the PEP policy on PEP prescription and costs was analysed and modelled. RESULTS: Among 146 putative exposures, 47 involved a source person already known to be HIV positive and 23 had no indication for PEP. The remaining 76 exposures involved a source person of unknown HIV serostatus. Of 33 (43.4%) exposures for which the source person could be contacted and tested, PEP was avoided in 24 (72.7%), initiated and discontinued in seven (21.2%), and prescribed and completed in two (6.1%). In contrast, of 43 (56.6%) exposures for which the source person could not be tested, PEP was prescribed in 35 (81.4%), P < 0.001. Upon modelling, the PEP policy allowed a 31% reduction of cost for management of exposures to source persons of unknown HIV serostatus. The policy was cost-saving for HIV prevalence of up to 70% in the source population. The availability of all the source persons for testing would have reduced cost by 64%. CONCLUSION: In the management of non-occupational HIV exposures, active contacting and free, anonymous testing of source persons proved feasible. This policy resulted in a decrease in prescription of PEP, proved to be cost-saving, and presumably helped to avoid unnecessary toxicity and psychological stress.
Keywords
Anti-HIV Agents/economics, Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use, Confidentiality, Contact Tracing, Cost-Benefit Analysis, HIV Infections/diagnosis, HIV Infections/drug therapy, Health Policy, Humans
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
10/03/2008 10:32
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:50
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