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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2022, vol. 28, issue4
Subject Area: Public Health
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2022284.4688
Published online: 18 November 2022
Original article
J of IMAB. 2022 Oct-Dec;28(4):4688-4690
PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PREP) OF HIV INFECTION – A CRUCIAL TOOL FOR REDUCING THE BURDEN UPON THE PUBLIC HEALTH
Ivaylo Pakov1, 2
, Elena Birindzhieva2, Ivva Philipova3, Kalina Terzieva1, Galya Gancheva1,
1) Department of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University-Pleven, Bulgaria.
2) Checkpoint Sofia – Centre for Sexual Health, Sofia, Bulgaria.
3) National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
HIV is a major global public health problem.The increased access to effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment transformed HIV-infection intoa manageable chronic health condition.Our purpose was to assess the effectiveness of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV-infection.
Material and Methods: CheckPoint Sofia (former Sexual Health Centre – Sofia) is a medical center for consultations, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and HIV/AIDS. A retrospective study was conducted on 410 consulted males (HIV-seronegative) (October 2020 to August 2022).
Results: The mean age was 32±7.6 years (18-57 years) with prevalent ages <30 and 30-40 years (42% and 47%, respectively); Bulgarian citizens 90%, MSM (97%). The clients’ profile revealed active sporting (38%), past STI’s (26%), vaccinated for HBV (54%). No one of the subjects had chronic kidney disease and mandatory investigations of renal functions at starting of PrEP revealed mean levels of urea and creatinine 4.9±1.42 mmol/L and 78±18.2 µmol/L, respectively. On demand regimen (2+1+1 tablets) of PrEP was preferred at 91% and 15% switched to everyday receiving before an increased risk. After starting of PrEP, 55% of the subjects were tested voluntary and no one was positive for HIV, HBV, and HCV. The once reported side effect was transitory diarrhea (in 5%) after the start of PrEP. It is notable that the increased STI’s (syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea – 10%, 6% and 5%, respectively) – fact in accordance with global trends.
Conclusion: PrEP is an effective prevention of HIV infectionand deserves budgetary finance. The increase of STI’s requires concrete preventive implementations.
Keywords: HIV, PrEP, STI’s,
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Please cite this article as: Pakov I, Birindzhieva E, Philipova I, Terzieva K, Gancheva G. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV Infection – a Crucial Tool for Reducing the Burden upon the Public Health. J of IMAB. 2022 Oct-Dec;28(4):4688-4690. DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2022284.4688
Correspondence to: Ivaylo Nikolaev Pakov, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Pleven, 8a, Georgi Kochev Str., Pleven 5800, Bulgaria; E-mail: ivaylo.pakov@gmail.com
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Received: 31 August 2022
Published online: 18 November 2022