HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Use Among Ontario Female Adolescent Sexual Assault Victims: A Prospective Analysis

The authors examined HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) -- its provision, uptake, adherence, and other related factors -- among female sexual assault survivors from September 2003 to January 2005.

Sexual assault patients of all ages were universally offered PEP through the HIV PEP Project. The investigators collected baseline and follow-up data from consecutive clients seen at 18 hospital-based sexual assault treatment centers in Ontario.

Among 386 patients, 94.5 percent were single, 68 percent lived with their family, and 67.4 percent were attending school. Just 42.7 percent accepted PEP and 33.6 percent completed the 28-day course of drugs. The factors associated with uptake were provider encouragement, being a student, and being moderately to highly anxious. Completion of the full PEP course was associated with being white and knowing the assailant for less than 24 hours.

"Our findings highlight the importance of the health care provider's role in counseling sexually assaulted female adolescents about HIV PEP use," concluded the authors. "The results also suggest that at-risk adolescents not enrolled in school and those from culturally diverse backgrounds may require additional supports."

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