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Patient and Provider Decision Making About HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Following Sexual Violence: A Qualitative Analysis

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT: To explore patient and health care provider HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) decision making following sexual assault, semistructured interviews regarding HIV PEP provision with 15 patients and 10 health care providers were conducted. A qualitative, descriptive, thematic analysis approach was used. Four themes were derived: (a) medical concerns; (b) emotional, trauma, and support factors; (c) daily medication management; and (d) ensuring access to HIV PEP. How participants described these themes and the importance placed on factors within each theme varied between the two groups. Altering provider communication so that HIV PEP discussions better align with patient decision-making factors (e.g., trauma and ability to take in information, how to manage side effects) could facilitate improvement in HIV PEP decision making following sexual assault for patients. High-level policy changes would improve HIV PEP access for sexual assault patients without necessitating the extraordinary efforts individual providers currently undertake.

Source: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000430

Authors: Jocelyn C. Anderson, Michelle D. S. Boakye, Jessica Draughon Moret

Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, Villanova University, University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Mental Health