HIV epidemiology
Australia has a concentrated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, whereupon in 2018 sexual contact between men accounted for approximately 70% of new HIV diagnoses 1. During 2018, 23% of new diagnoses occurred in heterosexuals, and about one-third of these occurred where the person, or their partner came from a country with high HIV prevalence. Only 3% of […]
HIV prevention
Overall, recent declines in HIV incidence and notifications concurred with Initiatives focused on improved uptake in HIV testing and treatment with simpler HIV treatment regimens. Consequently, 74% of people living with HIV in 2017 reached viral load suppression, thereby achieving zero risk of onward HIV transmission 1. By the end of 2018, 18,530 people, of whom 99% were […]
HIV risk categories and targeted availability of PrEP in Australia
Informed by the local epidemiology of HIV, access to PrEP in Australia has been pragmatically targeted to MSM at increased risk of HIV acquisition. Criteria for increased HIV risk were originally defined based on the evidence from the Sydney-based Health in Men (HIM) study 8. The Table 3.1 summarises the main factors associated with an increased risk […]
How to access PrEP in Australia
There are three ways to access HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Australia: 1. Through the Australian health-care system For an Australian resident with a current Medicare card, PrEP can be accessed through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at a subsidised cost. As PrEP is listed as a Schedule 85 (s85) drug, any doctor or authorised […]
Models of PrEP delivery in clinical practice
Since 2016, many accredited prescribers of s100 HIV medication, sexual health specialists, general practitioners (GPs), nurse practitioners, nurses in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have been involved in making pre- exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) available through clinical PrEP implementation trials and people self-importing PrEP. Since 1 […]
References
Kirby Institute. HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia: annual surveillance report 2018. Sydney: Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney; 2018. Available at: https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/report/hiv-viral-hepatitis-and-sexually-transmissible-infections-australia-annual-surveillance (last accessed 27 August 2019). Grulich AE, Guy R, Amin J, et al; Expanded PrEP Implementation in Communities New South Wales (EPIC-NSW) research group. Population-level effectiveness of rapid, targeted, high-coverage roll-out […]