HIV/AIDS post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for victims of sexual assault in South Africa

An earlier study (Meel, 2003) showed that more than 90% of victims of sexual assault in Transkei region, South Africa, were HIV-seronegative at the time of the incident. This was despite the fact that the community had a high prevalence of HIV. In sexual assault cases post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended to prevent HIV transmission. Therefore, therapy with zidovudine (AZT) and lamivudine (3TC) is justified. The purpose of this study is to describe the demographic characteristics of the victims, to assess the outcome of HIV transmission and to evaluate the success of PEP after its implementation in Transkei. There were 594 victims of sexual assault during the study period at Sinawe Centre from 2000-2003. Of these, 346 (58.2%) were children under the age of 15 years. Seventeen children (2.9%) were found to be HIV positive at the first test. Among the adults, 58(9.8%) tested HIV positive. Of the 225 who attended after PEP was introduced, only two were found to be HIV seropositive at the time of the incident. A second test was recommended after four weeks and a third after 12 weeks. The majority of the victims did not report for the second test, but all 35 who did come to be tested were seronegative. who did come to be tested were seronegative. Seventeen of those were between 11-15 years of age. Only seven victims came for the third test, and they, too, were negative. Nausea and vomiting were the commonest side effects of PEP treatment in four patients and one developed a generalized rash. Only one victim seroconverted.