Epidemiology

Global data about the prescribing frequency of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in both occupational and non-occupational settings are limited.

In the UK, 8765 reports of significant occupational exposures have been reported to the Health Protection Agency between 1997 and 2018, with just one HIV seroconversion due to a percutaneous exposure from a hollow-bore needle in 1999.[6] No further cases have been reported to date. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established a national non-occupational HIV PEP surveillance registry, but clinician reporting rates were low.[4]

There is evidence of increased awareness and uptake of PEP in some settings, particularly following promotional programmes with the involvement of trained medical providers.[7][8][9] However, general awareness of the availability of non-occupational PEP remains poor; a cross-sectional survey in the US (July 2014 and May 2015) reported 1 in 8 healthcare providers were unaware of PEP.[10] In Spain, a study of non-healthcare professionals receiving rapid HIV testing found that only 22% of participants were aware of the availability of non-occupational PEP.[11] Similarly low rates of PEP have been reported in low- and middle-income countries.[12][13]

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