Exploring the issues of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis and sexually assaulted individuals

Abstract

I first would like to acknowledge my dissertation chair Dr. Barbara J. Guthrie, I appreciate all the support, advice and encouragement both academically and professionally you have given me. To my dissertation committee members Dr. Beth E. Molnar and Dr. Rachel Rodgers, I thank you for all guidance, advice, and encouragement you have given me through this process. To my wonderful mentor Dr. Deborah D'Avolio, I was truly blessed to be able to be your research assistant and colleague, of which we had some unforgettable moments. Special acknowledgement to the Harvard Catalyst for their biostatistical consultations at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, to the Emergency Nurses Association for awarding me the doctoral scholarship and to the Massachusetts Nurses Association for their generous scholarship. To the dearest and closest people, I have met along the way or who have been with me through this journey,

Underserved survivors of sexual assault: a systematic scoping review

“…In a US sample of survivors seeking post-assault care, homelessness was associated with significantly fewer return-visits to a hospital-based SA clinic (Ackerman, Sugar, Fine, & Eckert, 2006 ). Similarly, a lack of health insurance was associated with significantly lower completion rates of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis following SA (Scannell, 2018 ). In addition to decreased accessibility of services, survivors experiencing financial vulnerability may not receive the support needed, such as enhanced accommodation of basic needs (e.g.…”

Factors Impacting HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Among Sexually Assaulted Patients Presenting to Two Urban Emergency Departments

“…Despite known risk factors associated with HIV, research indicates that adherence rates to a 28-day course of nPEP are relatively low among SA patients, putting them at risk for HIV. According to meta-analysis, the average percentage of U.S. SA patients who completed their nPEP course ranged from 21.2% to 29.0%, with a mean of 25.7% (Scannell, 2018). Even when all eligible SA patients were offered nPEP, 86.7% accepted it; however, the percentage of patients who completed the 28-day course dropped drastically to 27.4% (Krause et al, 2014).…”