Preventive HIV Treatment Shown Effective
Preventive HIV Treatment Shown Effective
New research finds just two people out of more than 400 became infected in a year
The study tracked more than 400 gay and bisexual men and transgender women who visited sexually transmitted disease clinics in San Francisco and Miami, and a community health center in Washington, D.C. The participants went to the clinics between 2012 and 2015.
All participants received free Truvada. Study treatment continued for 48 weeks.
Based on blood tests of almost 300 participants, the study found that 80 percent or more appeared to have used the therapy consistently, based on levels of the drugs in their bodies.
The two people who contracted HIV during the study appeared to have taken the drug two or fewer times per week instead of daily, as recommended.
The level of other sexually transmitted diseases remained stable among the participants, the study found. The researchers also found that people taking the treatment didn't increase their level of anal sex without condoms. The percentage engaging in that sexual practice remained steady at about 66 percent.
The people most likely to consistently take the treatment included those with a stable housing situation, and those who engaged in riskier sex -- defined as having two condomless anal sex partners in the past three months, the study noted.
Overall, the results provide "strong evidence" for boosting the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay and bisexual men in these types of clinics, Liu said. "We saw higher levels of adherence in those who had higher-risk behaviors, which is encouraging and likely to increase the cost-effectiveness and impact of pre-exposure prophylaxis."
HIV researcher Julia Marcus, a postdoctoral fellow with the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California who's familiar with the study, put it this way: "We're seeing that pre-exposure prophylaxis works extremely well when taken."
However, the study does point to challenges facing health advocates as they promote the use of this treatment.
Five percent of participants stopped taking the medication because of side effects, Liu said.
Then there's the matter of cost. In this case, study researchers helped participants find access to continue treatment, although they may face copayments and high deductibles if they have insurance to cover it, he said. Most insurance programs, along with Medicaid, cover pre-exposure prophylaxis, Liu said.
Preventive HIV Treatment Shown Effective
New research finds just two people out of more than 400 became infected in a year
The study tracked more than 400 gay and bisexual men and transgender women who visited sexually transmitted disease clinics in San Francisco and Miami, and a community health center in Washington, D.C. The participants went to the clinics between 2012 and 2015.
All participants received free Truvada. Study treatment continued for 48 weeks.
Based on blood tests of almost 300 participants, the study found that 80 percent or more appeared to have used the therapy consistently, based on levels of the drugs in their bodies.
The two people who contracted HIV during the study appeared to have taken the drug two or fewer times per week instead of daily, as recommended.
The level of other sexually transmitted diseases remained stable among the participants, the study found. The researchers also found that people taking the treatment didn't increase their level of anal sex without condoms. The percentage engaging in that sexual practice remained steady at about 66 percent.
The people most likely to consistently take the treatment included those with a stable housing situation, and those who engaged in riskier sex -- defined as having two condomless anal sex partners in the past three months, the study noted.
Overall, the results provide "strong evidence" for boosting the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay and bisexual men in these types of clinics, Liu said. "We saw higher levels of adherence in those who had higher-risk behaviors, which is encouraging and likely to increase the cost-effectiveness and impact of pre-exposure prophylaxis."
HIV researcher Julia Marcus, a postdoctoral fellow with the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California who's familiar with the study, put it this way: "We're seeing that pre-exposure prophylaxis works extremely well when taken."
However, the study does point to challenges facing health advocates as they promote the use of this treatment.
Five percent of participants stopped taking the medication because of side effects, Liu said.
Then there's the matter of cost. In this case, study researchers helped participants find access to continue treatment, although they may face copayments and high deductibles if they have insurance to cover it, he said. Most insurance programs, along with Medicaid, cover pre-exposure prophylaxis, Liu said.
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