Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share by Email
Print
A survey by the American Academy of HIV Medicine found that less than half of healthcare providers reported being “very likely” to prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to high-risk patients despite the U.S. Public Health Service’s PrEP guidelines. The results appear in the association’s publication HIV Specialist.
Via a web-based 53-question survey, 324 American Academy of HIV Medicine members were polled on their prescribing habits of PrEP for high-risk patients. While less than half stated that they would be “very likely” to prescribe PrEP to patients who are high-risk heterosexuals or people who use intravenous drugs, 79% would be “very likely” to prescribe PrEP to HIV-negative men whose male partners have the virus.
Reasons listed for reluctance in prescribing PrEP included concerns about the following:
- Medication adherence
- Regular follow-up care for monitoring and counseling
- Effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV
- Side effects
- Patients engaging in riskier behaviors
- Cost of treatment
Study co-author Kathy Brown, MD, noted that although there were initial concerns about an increase in risky behavior, side effects, drug resistance, and adherence with PrEP, recent real-world studies do not support these concerns. Healthcare providers need ongoing education and guidance regarding practical issues associated with prescribing PrEP, she added.
For more information visit grouphealthresearch.org.
This article originally appeared on MPR
