Pre‐Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Infection and the Role of the Women's Health Care Provider in HIV Prevention

Abstract

HIV infection is a major public health problem for women in the United States. Prevention of new HIV infections is essential to the goal of eliminating HIV in the United States. Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective and safe HIV prevention method recommended for women at increased risk for HIV infection, including during pregnancy and lactation. The recommended PrEP regimen is a fixed‐dose combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine administered as a single daily dose. The initial evaluation for individuals desiring PrEP for HIV prevention includes obtaining a history, laboratory evaluation, and evaluation of the accessibility and acceptability of PrEP. Individuals using PrEP medications are seen every 3 months for follow‐up. These follow‐up visits include evaluation for signs and symptoms of seroconversion, management of side effects and adverse reactions, and evaluation of adherence to PrEP. Follow‐up visits also include testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and renal function and a review of HIV prevention and risk reduction methods. Despite known safety and efficacy of PrEP among women, PrEP use in women in the United States remains low. Gaps exist in HIV prevention that can in part be addressed by women's health care providers through risk screening and provision of HIV prevention methods. All providers of comprehensive sexual health care can and should assess individuals for risk factors for HIV infection and offer HIV prevention methods, including PrEP, to individuals at risk for HIV.

Adolescent Dating and HIV Perceptions: A Phenomenological Study in N’Djamena, Chad

“…Similarly, Nicole De Wet's research in South Africa (2019) found that young women, especially those aged 20-24 and students, were more likely to choose older partners for financial benefits [26]. This underscored the complex interplay of emotional, highlighted the role of women's healthcare providers in HIV prevention resonating with our findings in Chad [31].…”

“…Studies like Wathuta (2016) emphasize the need for accurate gender dynamics representation in HIV responses [30]. Moreover, Ruppe et al (2021) highlighted the role of women’s healthcare providers in HIV prevention resonating with our findings in Chad [31].…”

A New Normal After the COVID‐19 Pandemic

“…We also need to increase utilization of prevention strategies for diseases like HIV for which no vaccines exist. Ruppe 7 discusses how pre‐exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection is an underutilized yet feasible approach to protect individuals at higher risk of HIV infection. The articles by Pesch about cytomegalovirus 8 and by Hunter about parvovirus B‐19 9 highlight the importance of hygiene practices in protection against perinatal transmission through body fluids and respiratory droplets.…”