Currently, the majority of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are transmitted by individuals with untreated HIV. In this retrospective study, we examined associations between demographic factors, viral suppression, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) status (CD4 count <200), and adherence to clinical follow-up in individuals living with HIV. Of the 489 patients, 135 (27.6%) were females, 235 (48.1%) were over 50 years old, 191 (39.1%) had Medicaid, Medicare, or Ryan White Insurance, 25 (5.1%) had CD4 counts below 200, and 207 (42.3%) were adherent to their clinic appointments. In univariable logistic regression analysis, age and viral load detectability were significantly associated with patient adherence to their clinic appointment. In multivariable analysis, only age remained significantly associated with clinic appointment adherence (Odds Ratio=2.1; 95% Confidence Interval=1.4, 3.1; P<0.001). Patients 50 years old or younger were half as likely to be adherent to their clinic appointments than patients over 50 years old. Gender and insurance status were not associated with viral suppression or AIDS status. The results illustrate the need for increased age-specific outreach to improve clinical adherence in younger individuals.
BackgroundResearch suggests nonoccupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) is underprescribed when indicated in the Emergency Department (ED). This study is an assessment of ED providers’ attitudes and practices regarding administration of HIV nPEP.MethodsThis was an anonymous survey based on literature review and modified Delphi technique. We approached 153 ED providers at work over a 4-month period from 5 hospital-based and 2 freestanding EDs with an annual census between 35,000 and 75,000 patients. The EDs are a combination of urban, suburban, and rural EDs. There were 152 completed surveys: 80 attendings, 27 residents, and 44 physician assistants.ResultsThe majority of surveyed providers (133/149, 89.3%) believe it is their responsibility as an emergency provider to provide HIV nPEP in the emergency department (Figure 1). Although 91% (138/151) and 87% (132/151) of respondents are willing to prescribe nPEP to a patient in the ED for IV drug use and unprotected sex, respectively, only 40% (61/152) of participants felt they could confidently prescribe the appropriate regimen. Ultimately, only 25% (37/151) of participants prescribed nPEP in the last year. Number of years in practice, age, and gender did not result in a significant difference in nPEP administration. Respondents noted time (27%), access to follow-up care (26%), cost to patients (23%), patients’ perceived interest in HIV counseling (15%), and concern for ongoing risky behaviors (9%) as barriers to prescribing nPEP (Figure 2). 64% (95/149) of respondents feel that it is their responsibility as an ED provider to refer patients at risk of nonoccupational exposures for risk-reduction counseling.ConclusionThis study identified an opportunity for HIV prevention in the emergency department. The majority of participants had not prescribed nPEP in the past 12 months. Although most were willing to prescribe nPEP and felt it was their responsibility, the majority of participants were not confident in prescribing it. Future interventions to increase the use of nPEP in the ED should target provider education, cost, access to follow-up care and counseling.
Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.