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Factors associated with reporting antibiotic use as STI prophylaxis among HIV PrEP users: findings from a cross-sectional online community survey, May-July 2019, UK
- Source :
- Sexually transmitted infections. 97(6)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- ObjectivesThe use of antibiotics as pre-exposure or postexposure prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention (STI prophylaxis) is not currently recommended in the UK, but there is evidence that self-prescribing occurs among those at greatest risk. We present the prevalence and factors associated with STI prophylaxis among a community sample of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users.MethodsThe 2019 online PrEP User Survey ran between 17 May and 1 July. Eligible participants included UK residents reporting HIV PrEP use or having tried to obtain HIV PrEP since January 2017. STI prophylaxis use was defined as reporting buying antibiotics to prevent STIs, either privately or through the internet; this question was only asked to HIV PrEP users. Factors associated with STI prophylaxis use were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOverall, 9% (167/1856) of HIV PrEP users reported STI prophylaxis use; 97% were gay or bisexual men, 84% reported white ethnicity, 55% resided in London and 69% were aged ≥35 years. Factors associated with STI prophylaxis included: reporting ≥5 compared with 1–4 condomless sex partners in the past 6 months (12% vs 5.6%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.80; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.64), reporting chemsex drug use compared with no sexualised drug use in the past 12 months (13% vs 6.0%, aOR=1.88; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.93) and reporting an STI diagnosis in the past 12 months (12% vs 6.6%, aOR=1.54; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.18). Variables not significant in multivariable analyses included: ethnicity, age, residence and HIV PrEP sourcing.ConclusionsApproximately 1 in 10 HIV PrEP users from this community sample reported self-prescribed STI prophylaxis. STI prophylaxis was associated with sexual behaviour known to facilitate STI transmission and with a history of recent STIs acquisition. Given the potential risk of antimicrobial resistance, sexual health clinicians should consider asking attendees, especially HIV PrEP users, about the use of antibiotics as STI prophylaxis, to inform appropriate counselling, testing and management.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Adolescent
Sexual Behavior
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Ethnic group
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
HIV Infections
Dermatology
medicine.disease_cause
Logistic regression
03 medical and health sciences
Young Adult
0302 clinical medicine
Surveys and Questionnaires
London
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Antibiotic use
Reproductive health
0303 health sciences
Internet
030306 microbiology
Transmission (medicine)
business.industry
virus diseases
Odds ratio
Middle Aged
Online community
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Infectious Diseases
Cross-Sectional Studies
Family medicine
Female
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14723263 and 13684973
- Volume :
- 97
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....9ae594f486f027dcf3e23fdd1b167e41