Utilisation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in the Australian general practice setting

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Chidwick Kendal, Pollack Allan, Busingye Doreen, Norman Sarah, Grulich Andrew, Bavinton Benjamin, Guy Rebecca, Medland Nick (2022) Utilisation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in the Australian general practice setting: a longitudinal observational study. Sexual Health 19, 101-111. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH21207
Abstract:

BackgroundPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) became available through the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on 1 April 2018 for HIV infection prevention in patients ≥18 years at medium-to-high HIV risk. The aims were to investigate PrEP utilisation in general practice since PBS listing, and factors associated with discontinuation.

MethodsThis longitudinal study included patients aged 18–74 years attending general practices participating in MedicineInsight, a large-scale national primary care database of deidentified electronic health records, between October 2017 and September 2019.

ResultsPrEP utilisation increased 10-fold following PBS listing. On average, patients had 9.7 PrEP prescriptions per year; a medication possession ratio of 80.8%. Of 1552 patients prescribed PrEP from April 2018, most were male (98.3%), aged 18–39 years (59.3%), resided in major cities (86.7%) and in the two most socioeconomically advantaged quintiles (70.0%). Almost half (49.1%) of the patients were identified as new to PrEP. At study end, 65.1% were on active PrEP (16.5%, of whom had non-continuous use), 19.2% had discontinued PrEP and 15.7% were lost to follow up. Patients who discontinued were more likely to attend low rather than high PrEP caseload practices (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0–2.8; P = 0.047). The odds of non-continuous therapy was 2.9-fold higher in patients with bipolar disorder (aOR 2.89; 95% CI: 1.10–7.6; P = 0.045).

ConclusionsFollowing PBS listing, PrEP utilisation increased and stopping therapy was associated with attending low caseload practices. General practice education, particularly among low caseload practices, could help address these disparities.

By J Pope

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