PrEP use linked with more STIs, but it’s unrelated to condoms
The increased incidence of STIs is partly due to more frequent screening, say researchers
Gay and bisexual men starting on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are at higher risk for acquiring bacterial STI infections, a large Australian study has found.
But study author Professor Mark Stoové says the increased STI rates among new PrEP users is partly due to more frequent testing in line with national guidelines.
Researchers from the Burnet Institute in Melbourne analysed longitudinal data from 2900 gay and bisexual men in Victoria enrolled in the multisite PrEPX (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Expanded) study to determine their risk of acquiring chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis after starting the medication.
The median age was 34 years and participants were followed up for at least 12 months.
