A Meta-Analysis of HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Among Sexually Assaulted Patients in the United States

Abstract

Sexual assault (SA) is a major public health problem that leaves patients at risk for HIV. The gold standard of medical treatment for SA patients includes prophylactic treatment to prevent HIV. A meta-analysis was conducted and examined the rates of nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (n-PEP) offered to, accepted, and completed by SA patients who presented to emergency departments in the United States. Four points of data were analyzed: (a) SA patients who met the criteria and were offered n-PEP, (b) SA patients who were offered n-PEP and accepted the medication, (c) SA patients who accepted n-PEP treatment and completed at least one follow-up appointment, and (d) SA patients who completed the entire course of n-PEP. Results of the meta-analysis indicated that approximately half of the patients who were offered n-PEP accepted the medication. However, only 25.7% of SA patients who accepted n-PEP completed the full course.

Keywords: HIV prevention; emergency department; n-PEP; postexposure prophylaxis; sexual assault; sexual violence.