Publication Cover
AIDS Care
Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume 22, 2010 - Issue 12
346
Views
20
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Evaluating counseling outcome on adherence to prophylaxis and follow-up after sexual HIV-risk exposure: a randomized controlled trial

, , , , , , , , & show all
Pages 1509-1516 | Received 04 Jan 2010, Published online: 06 Dec 2010
 

Abstract

Objective. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended for the management of sexual HIV-risk exposure. However, a high percentage of exposed patients discontinue both their 28-day prophylaxis course before 15 days and HIV testing follow-up before M3. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a counseling intervention in enhancing both adherence to PEP and HIV testing follow-up.

Methods. Between 1 June 2004 and 31 December 2005, 54 patients exposed to sexual HIV-risk exposure were included in a multicenter, prospective, controlled, randomized trial, comparing a group receiving a counseling intervention in addition to traditional medical management (intervention group (IG), n=28) vs. a control group (CG, n=26). Patients in the IG received interactive counseling interventions focused on adherence to PEP and to HIV testing follow-up, led by specially trained nurses. The main outcome measures were proportion of patients achieving 100% adherence to PEP as evaluated on D15 by a self-completed patient questionnaire and on HIV testing on D45 and M3.

Results. Groups were well balanced at baseline for age, sex, and circumstances of exposure. The proportion of 100% adherent patients to PEP was significantly higher in the IG compared to the CG (54% vs. 23%, p=0.036). Patients in the IG were more likely to complete the HIV testing follow-up at D45 (86% vs. 54%, p=0.023) and M3 (68% vs. 38%, p=0.056).

Conclusions. This study suggests the effectiveness of a counseling program to enhance adherence to both PEP and HIV testing follow-up after sexual exposure.

Acknowledgements

This study would not have been possible without the contributions of:

The counseling nurses: P. Asplanato, M. Borghi, V. Dessens, A. Slous, B. Tolu, and G. Valentini.

The attending physicians: V. Rahelinirina, F. De Salvador, I. Perbost, V. Mondain, E. Cua, P.M. Roger, F. Sanderson, E. Rosenthal, P.Y. Jeandel, N. Bagot, N. Tieulé, S. Roth, P. Heudier, J.G. Fuzibet, C. Ceppi, H. Vinti, J.P. Cassuto, S. Bregigeon, M.P. Drougoul, and J.A. Gastaut.

The senior nurses and nursing supervisors: C. Audibert Bathail, J. Massiera, C. Rascle, I. Pietri, and F. Fiorillo.

Hospital Managers and Medical Staff Officers: M. Rubolini, M.A. Guerrero, M. Mazard, J. Durant, and N. Chevalier.

The Public Health Departments’ staff: N. Oran, J.N. Mazza, M. Eck, G. Fabre

J. Schneider, Counseling Trainer, “ACCES”.

This study was funded by the French Ministry of Health within the framework of the National Hospital Clinical Research Projects (Projets Hospitaliers de Recherche Clinique: PHRC) for 2002.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.