Changes in the user profiles of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) before and after PrEP reimbursement.
Ahaus, Patrick;
Schmidt, Axel J;
Skaletz-Rorowski, Adriane;
Uhrmacher, Mona;
Serova, Katja;
Kayser, Arne;
Wach, Janet;
Nambiar, Sandeep;
Brockmeyer, Norbert H;
Potthoff, Anja;
(2022)
Changes in the user profiles of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) before and after PrEP reimbursement.
Journal of infection and public health, 15 (9).
pp. 955-960.
ISSN 1876-0341
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2022.07.012
Permanent Identifier
Use this Digital Object Identifier when citing or linking to this resource.
BACKGROUND: In Germany, oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was licensed in 2016. Health insurances have been covering the costs since 09/2019. This study compares the sociodemographic profiles of PrEP users before and after PrEP re-imbursement. METHODS: Participants were recruited in a cross-sectoral sexual health centre in Germany. baseline data were compared for 139 vs 138 individuals starting PrEP from 10/2017-12/2018 (pre-reimbursement cohort) and 09/2019-3/2020; respectively. The pre-reimbursement cohort was further analysed with respect to sexual behaviour and incident sexually transmitted infections (STIs). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the sociodemographic characteristics between the two cohorts. Almost all PrEP users were men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM). Before reimbursement, fewer individuals used PrEP on a daily base, and more had used PrEP prior to enrolment. During follow-up (pre-reimbursement cohort), the number of sexual and condomless intercourse partners increased, so did the proportion engaging in Chemsex. Incidences of infections with C.trachomatis, N.gonorrhoeae, M.genitalium, and T.pallidum were 45.2; 36.8; 30.1; and 9.2, respectively, per 100 person-years. CONCLUSION: The goal to make PrEP available to a broader range of people with the covering of costs was only partially reached. Medically supervised use is important to detect and treat STIs.