Background We examined HIV prevalence trends over 4.5 years among women receiving antenatal care in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, by geographic location, clinic management and urbanicity.
AbstractIntroductionPre‐Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in reducing the risk for HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) and may have an important impact in slowing down the HIV epidemic. Concerns remain however about low adherence, increased risk behaviour and reduced condom use when using PrEP. The aim of this study was to assess these factors prospectively among MSM using daily and event‐driven PrEP in Belgium.MethodsAn open‐label prospective cohort study was conducted from October 2017 to May 2018 at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, in Antwerp, Belgium. At enrolment, MSM at high risk for HIV chose between daily or event‐driven PrEP. They were allowed to switch regimens or stop taking PrEP at each of their tri‐monthly visits. Data were collected on an electronic case report form, web‐based diary and self‐administered questionnaire. Screening for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) was also performed.ResultsTwo hundred MSM were followed up for a total duration of 318 person‐years. At month 18, 75.4% of the participants were on daily and 24.6% were on event‐driven PrEP. The mean proportion of covered sex acts by PrEP for the complete follow‐up period was 91.5% for all participants, 96.5% for daily and 67.0% for event‐driven PrEP use. The number of casual and anonymous sex partners was significantly higher for daily users, as compared with event‐driven users, but did not change over time. In contrast, the mean proportion of condomless receptive anal intercourse with casual and anonymous partners increased significantly during follow‐up, for both daily and event‐driven use (p < 0.0001 for all 4 trends). No new HIV infection was diagnosed during follow‐up. The incidence of bacterial STIs was 75.4 per 100 person‐years (95% CI 63.8 to 89.1). We did not detect a significant change in N. gonorrhoeae/C. trachomatis incidence over time. The incidence of hepatitis C was 2.9 per 100 person‐years.ConclusionsPrEP is an effective and well adopted HIV prevention tool for MSM in Belgium. Participants adapted daily and event‐driven regimens to their own needs and were able to adapt their PrEP adherence to risk exposure.
In: Bulletin of the World Health Organization: the international journal of public health = Bulletin de l'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, Band 98, Heft 6, S. 431-434
AbstractIntroductionDaily and event‐driven oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduce the risk of HIV acquisition. PrEP use can vary over time, yet little is known about the trajectories of PrEP use irrespective of the chosen PrEP regimens among men who have sex with men (MSM).MethodsUsing data from a mobile, web‐based diary application collected daily from 17 August 2015 until 6 May 2018, we analysed PrEP use and sexual behaviour in two large cohorts, AMPrEP (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and Be‐PrEP‐ared (Antwerp, Belgium). In both cohorts, participants could choose between daily and event‐driven oral PrEP every 3 months. We used group‐based trajectory modelling to identify trajectories of PrEP use over time and their determinants. In addition, we estimated the incidence rate of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis within these trajectories.ResultsWe included 516 MSM (n = 322 AMPrEP; n = 194 Be‐PrEP‐ared), of whom 24% chose event‐driven PrEP at PrEP initiation. Participants contributed 225,015 days of follow‐up (median = 508 days [IQR = 429−511]). Four distinct PrEP use trajectories were identified: ≤2 tablets per week ("low frequency," 12% of the total population), 4 tablets per week ("variable," 17%), "almost daily" (31%) and "always daily" (41%). Compared to participants with "low frequency" PrEP use, participants with "variable" (odds ratio [OR] = 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04−4.60) and "almost daily" PrEP use were more often AMPrEP participants (OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.27−5.49). "Almost daily" PrEP users were more often employed (OR = 6.76, 95% CI = 2.10−21.75) and were younger compared to participants with "low frequency" PrEP use. In addition, the number of days on which anal sex occurred was lower among participants with "low frequency" PrEP use compared to the other groups (all p<0.001). Compared to "low frequency" PrEP users, the incidence rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea were higher for participants with "almost daily" and "always daily" PrEP use.ConclusionsWe uncovered four distinct PrEP use trajectories, pointing to different patterns of PrEP use in practice beyond the two‐regimen dichotomy. These trajectories were related to sexual behaviour and rates of sexually transmitted infection. Tailoring PrEP care according to different PrEP use patterns could be an important strategy to improve efficient PrEP delivery.
AbstractIntroductionDaily and event‐driven PrEP are both efficacious in reducing the risk for HIV infection. However, the practice of event‐driven PrEP (edPrEP) is less well studied, in particular when provided as an alternative to daily PrEP. We studied regimen preferences and switches, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence.MethodsWe analysed pooled data from two prospective cohort studies among MSM: Be‐PrEP‐ared, Belgium and AMPrEP, the Netherlands. In both projects, participants could choose between daily and edPrEP at three‐monthly study visits, when they were also screened for sexually transmitted infections including hepatitis C (HCV). We assessed the proportion choosing each regimen, and the determinants of choosing edPrEP at baseline. Additionally, we compared the incidence rates (IRs) of HCV, syphilis and chlamydia or gonorrhoea between regimens using Poisson regression. The study period was from 3 August 2015 until 24 September 2018.Results and discussionWe included 571 MSM, of whom 148 (25.9%) chose edPrEP at baseline. 31.7% of participants switched regimen at least once. After 28 months, 23.5% used edPrEP. Older participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.38 per 10 years, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15 to 1.64) and those unemployed (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.75) were more likely to initially choose edPrEP. IR of HCV and syphilis did not differ between regimens, but the IR of chlamydia/gonorrhoea was higher among daily users (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.35 to 1.94).ConclusionsA quarter of participants chose edPrEP at baseline and at 28 months this proportion was similar. Although the IR of HCV and syphilis were similar in the two regimens, the lower incidence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea among edPrEP users may suggest that less frequent STI testing of this group could be considered.