Post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure to HIV: a seven-year retrospective analysis in a regional centre.

An audit of 72 patients presenting for post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure (PEPSE) to HIV (68 genitourinary medicine and 4 accident & emergency) was conducted from 2003 to 2009. The principal indications for PEPSE included 27 (38%) unprotected intercourse (15/27 vaginal and 12/27 anal) with a known HIV-positive partner, 20 (28%) unprotected receptive anal sex with male partner of unknown status, 17 (24%) following sexual assault and three (4%) unprotected sex with a partner from an endemic country. Of those who commenced PEPSE, 92% did so within the recommended 72 hours. Concurrent sexually transmitted infection (STI) was diagnosed in 8.3% patients (6.9% non-gonococcal urethritis and 1.4% rectal chlamydia). Fifty (69%) patients attended for follow-up and only 8% of these did not complete treatment. Twenty-five (35%) patients attended for repeat serology at three months and 18 (25%) at six months. All of the patients followed up remained HIV-negative.