Studies from Heinrich-Heine-University Add New Findings in the Area of HIV/AIDS (Consultations for Hiv Post-exposure Prophylaxis Before and After Health Insurance Coverage of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis To a University-based Emergency Department …): Immune System Diseases and Conditions – HIV/AIDS

2023 JUN 12 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Current study results on Immune System Diseases and Conditions - HIV/AIDS have been published. According to news reporting originating in Dusseldorf, Germany, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “Potential risk contacts for HIV transmission may lead to presentations to the emergency department (ED) for counseling and initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). To examine the impact of German health insurance covering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) following Sept 1(st) 2019 for certain risk groups on the frequency and reasons for PEP counseling in a university-based ED in Germany.”

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from Heinrich-Heine-University, “In a before-after study design, all persons aged >= 18 years who presented for PEP counseling were analyzed retrospectively. We compared characteristics of presentations in the 18 months prior to PrEP coverage on Sept 1(st), 2019, with those in the following 18 months. 154 ED presentations occurred in the first study period, and 155 ED presentations in the second period. Regarding the reasons for ED visits, no statistically significant difference was found [occupational risk contact (18.2 vs. 26.5%, p = 0.081), sexual risk contact (74.7 vs. 69.0%, p = 0.266), other non-occupational risk contact (7.1 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.329)]. For men who have sex with men (MSM), no statistically significant differences were found [38.9 (n = 60) vs. 35.5% (n = 55), p = 0.537]. All persons presenting to the HIV outpatient clinic after ED PEP initiation (n = 60 vs. n = 52) tested negative for HIV 3 months later. In this study, reasons to present for PEP counseling to a university ED showed no change following the implementation of PrEP coverage by health insurances.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “Therefore, PEP remains an important prevention for HIV transmission and presentations to the ED for PEP counseling may provide an opportunity to educate persons at risk of HIV infection about PrEP, thereby helping to prevent new HIV infections.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Consultations for Hiv Post-exposure Prophylaxis Before and After Health Insurance Coverage of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis To a University-based Emergency Department In Germany. HIV Research & Clinical Practice, 2023;24(1). HIV Research & Clinical Practice can be contacted at: Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2-4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon OR14 4RN, Oxon, England.

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Michael Bernhard, Heinrich-Heine-University, University Hospital Dusseldorf, Emergency Department, Dusseldorf, Germany. Additional authors for this research include Lennert Boehm, Bjoern-Erik Ole Jensen, Tom Luedde and Hubert Schelzig.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1080/25787489.2023.2207977. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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