Premium
The patient rationale for seeking HIV PEP : Qualitative results from a nurse‐led program
Author(s) -
O'Byrne Patrick,
Orser Lauren,
MacPherson Paul,
Valela Nick
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12404
Subject(s) - human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , nursing , medicine , qualitative research , family medicine , sociology , social science
Background HIV PEP is an intervention to prevent HIV seroconversion among HIV‐negative persons after they have come into contact with the virus. The literature suggests PEP is greater than 80% effective at reducing HIV seroconversion. To expand access to this prevention strategy, we established a nurse‐led PEP program in two STI clinics. Aims We sought to explore why people seek PEP, and their experiences using it. Materials & Methods We invited participants who used our PEP program to engage in semi‐structured qualitative interviews. These were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the techniques of thematic analysis. Results Twelve men who initiated PEP through our program participated in an interview. Thematic analysis of the data identified three themes: (1) assessing risk, (2) euphoria and distress, and (3) reducing distress. Discussion Based on our findings, it appears as though instances of condomless sex were atypical and unplanned, they occurred due to contextual factors (e.g., consent, desire to explore, sexual chemistry/intensity), and they resulted in a state of temporary euphoria, which, afterward, transformed into distress (i.e., “feel[ing] stupid”). The participants used PEP not only for HIV prevention, but also (and perhaps more so) to address their emotional state. PEP used seemed to primarily occur to address situations of atypical sexual contact with partners they did not “know” or “trust”. Conclusion We feel these results help contextualize how potential PEP users view HIV risk assessments, and how they determine their need for this intervention.