Abstract
BackgroundAntiretroviral treatment for HIV-infection before immunologic decline (early ART) and pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent HIV transmission, but routine adoption of these practices by clinicians has been limited.MethodsBetween September and December 2013, healthcare practitioners affiliated with a regional AIDS Education and Training Center in New England were invited to complete online surveys assessing knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding early ART and PrEP. Multivariable models were utilized to determine characteristics associated with prescribing intentions and practices.ResultsSurveys were completed by 184 practitioners. Respondent median age was 44 years, 58% were female, and 82% were white. Among ART-prescribing clinicians (61% of the entire sample), 64% were aware that HIV treatment guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services recommended early ART, and 69% indicated they would prescribe ART to all HIV-infected patients irrespective of immunologic status. However, 77% of ART-prescribing clinicians would defer ART for patients not ready to initiate treatment. Three-fourths of all respondents were aware of guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending PrEP provision, 19% had prescribed PrEP, and 58% of clinicians who had not prescribed PrEP anticipated future prescribing. Practitioners expressed theoretical concerns and perceived practical barriers to prescribing early ART and PrEP. Clinicians with higher percentages of HIV-infected patients (aOR 1.16 per 10% increase in proportion of patients with HIV-infection, 95% CI 1.01–1.34) and infectious diseases specialists (versus primary care physicians; aOR 3.32, 95% CI 0.98–11.2) were more likely to report intentions to prescribe early ART. Higher percentage of HIV-infected patients was also associated with having prescribed PrEP (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06–1.34), whereas female gender (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10–0.71) was associated with having not prescribed PrEP.ConclusionsThese findings suggest many clinicians have shifted towards routinely recommending early ART, but not PrEP, so interventions to facilitate PrEP provision are needed.
Highlights
As there are 50,000 new infections in the U.S annually [1], effective HIV prevention strategies are needed
Among ART-prescribing clinicians (61% of the entire sample), 64% were aware that HIV treatment guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services recommended early ART, and 69% indicated they would prescribe ART to all HIV-infected patients irrespective of immunologic status
Three-fourths of all respondents were aware of guidance from the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis (PrEP) provision, 19% had prescribed PrEP, and 58% of clinicians who had not prescribed PrEP anticipated future prescribing
Summary
As there are 50,000 new infections in the U.S annually [1], effective HIV prevention strategies are needed. Prior studies suggested that HIV clinicians may not intend to prescribe early ART to all of their HIV-infected patients [12], and that few practitioners have prescribed PrEP [13]. One year prior to the publication of HPTN 052 and the recent update in treatment guidelines that endorse early ART, a minority (14%) of experienced HIV clinicians in Washington, D.C. and the Bronx, N.Y. indicated they would recommend ART for all patients irrespective of CD4+ count, even though most practitioners believed that early ART would decrease HIV transmission [12]. Antiretroviral treatment for HIV-infection before immunologic decline (early ART) and preexposure chemoprophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent HIV transmission, but routine adoption of these practices by clinicians has been limited
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