Preparing for the use of Long-acting ANtiretrovirals in HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PLAN PEP)
About the Study
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an HIV prevention strategy in which people who have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours can use anti-HIV medications to decrease the chance of infection. It is very effective but can be inconvenient because it involves taking pills for 28 days. In recent years, new long-acting injectable medications taken every 1-2 months have become available that are highly effective at treating HIV and at preventing HIV when used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). These medications have not been studied for use as PEP, but there is reason to believe they would be similarly effective if used this way.
Our research team is studying this idea of using long-acting medications as PEP. We will conduct interviews with people from communities at increased risk of HIV about their experiences with PEP, and how long-acting medications might affect their likelihood of using it. We will also gather data from current PEP users about their care experiences, and whether they would take long-acting medications if offered. Finally, we will interview healthcare professionals about how this strategy would best be implemented in their practice.
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Funding
This study was funded by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)
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