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SDG 3: HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Background

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectively prevents HIV, but its association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has raised concerns about risk compensation, potentially impacting the expansion of PrEP programmes.

Aim

We examined the relationship between PrEP and the incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, we compared STI rates before and after PrEP initiation among users in the capital region of Denmark (2019–2022), calculating incidence rate ratios adjusted for age and testing frequency (aIRR). To pinpoint when increases began, we plotted weekly STI rates, adjusting the timeline to correspond with PrEP initiation.

Results

The study included 1,326 PrEP users with a median age of 35 years. The STI incidence rate per 100,000 person-years rose from 35.3 before to 81.2 after PrEP start, with an aIRR of 1.35 (95% CI: 1.18–1.56). Notably, this increase preceded PrEP initiation by 10–20 weeks. Specific aIRR for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis were 1.23 (95% CI: 1.03–1.48), 1.24 (95% CI: 1.04–1.47) and 1.15 (95% CI: 0.76–1.72), respectively. In subanalyses for anatomical sites aIRR was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.01–1.56) for rectal chlamydia and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.45–0.96) for genital gonorrhoea.

Conclusion

We found a 35% increase in STI incidence associated with PrEP use. It started before PrEP initiation, challenging the assumption that PrEP leads to risk compensation. Instead, the data suggest that individuals seek PrEP during periods of heightened sexual risk-taking. Consequently, PrEP programmes should include sexual health consultations, STI testing, treatment and prevention strategies to prevent HIV and improve sexual health.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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2024-03-28
2024-04-27
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.13.2300451
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Questioning risk compensation: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men, capital region of Denmark, 2019 to 2022
<p class="citation"> <span>Citation style for this article:</span> <span class="meta-value authors"> <a href="/search?value1=Sebastian+von+Schreeb&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">von Schreeb Sebastian</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Susanne+Kriegel+Pedersen&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Pedersen Susanne Kriegel</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Hanne+Christensen&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Christensen Hanne</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Kristina+Melbardis+J%C3%B8rgsensen&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Jørgsensen Kristina Melbardis</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Lene+Holm+Harritsh%C3%B8j&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Harritshøj Lene Holm</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Frederik+Boetius+Hertz&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Hertz Frederik Boetius</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Magnus+Glindvad+Ahlstr%C3%B6m&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Ahlström Magnus Glindvad</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Anne-Mette+Lebech&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Lebech Anne-Mette</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Suzanne+Lunding&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Lunding Suzanne</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Lars+N%C3%B8rregaard+Nielsen&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Nielsen Lars Nørregaard</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Jan+Gerstoft&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Gerstoft Jan</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Gitte+Kronborg&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Kronborg Gitte</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Frederik+N+Engsig&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Engsig Frederik N</a></span>. Questioning risk compensation: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men, capital region of Denmark, 2019 to 2022. <a href="/content/ecdc">Euro Surveill.</a> 2024;29(13):pii=2300451. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.13.2300451" title="doi link" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.13.2300451</a> <span class="ES_Article_citation"> <span class="generated">Received</span>: 23 Aug 2023;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="generated">Accepted</span>: 20 Dec 2023 </span> </p>
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.13.2300451
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