The Particulars: Anecdotal evidence suggests that post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV—meant to be a single-use, emergency safety net—is increasingly being utilized by repeat users. Studies have yet to determine the incidence of repeat use or the characteristics of repeat users.
Data Breakdown: Among a high-risk clinic population who received HIV post-exposure prophylaxis during a study, 18.6% were repeat users. Repeat users were almost exclusively men who have sex with men, often reported more than four sex partners within the previous 30 days, and had high incidence rates of methamphetamine and inhaled nitrate use.
Take Home Pearl: Repeat users of post-exposure HIV prophylaxis appear to mostly be men who have sex with men who report high-risk behaviors.
