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

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 35; No. 12: P. 973-978
(12..08):: Janice Du Mont, EdD; Terri L. Myhr, MSc; Heather Husson,
BA; Sheila Macdonald, MN; Anita Rachlis, MD; Mona R. Loutfy, MD, MPH

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."
___________________

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

Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 35(12):973-978, December 2008.
Du Mont, Janice EdD *+; Myhr, Terri L. MSc *; Husson, Heather BA ++;
Macdonald, Sheila MN [S][//]; Rachlis, Anita MD [P]#; Loutfy, Mona R.
MD, MPH *#

Abstract:

Background: This study examined the use of HIV postexposure
prophylaxis (PEP) among sexually assaulted adolescent females.
Methods: We analyzed data from the HIV PEP Project, an implementation
and evaluation of a program of universal offering of PEP to sexual
assault victims of all ages. Baseline and follow-up data were
collected prospectively from consecutive clients seen at 18 hospital-
based sexual assault treatment centers in Ontario, Canada from
September 2003 to January 2005. Among 386 at-risk female adolescents,
we examined the provision and uptake of and adherence to PEP, and
factors related to antiretroviral acceptance and completion.

Results: Most adolescents were single (94.5%), living with family
(68.0%), and attending school (67.4%). Slightly over two-fifths
(42.7%) accepted and one-third (33.6%) completed the 28-day course of
PEP. Factors associated with PEP acceptance were health care provider
encouragement, being a student, and being moderately-to-highly
anxious. PEP completion was associated with being white and an
assailant known less than 24 hours.

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

(C) Copyright 2008 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association