4CPS-052 Identifying HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis candidates among patients who received post-exposure prophylaxis. Pharmaceutical intervention in the outpatient pharmacy area

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> In 2023, 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV. Prevention strategies such as the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown efficacy reducing new HIV infections. Consequently, it is highly important, to promote PrEP between patients who are at ongoing high-risk for HIV infection. A good method to identify these patients is to select those who come to the outpatient area for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), as this indicates that they have had some form of risk exposure. <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> Identify candidates for initiating PrEP among patients who visit the outpatient pharmacy area to receive post-exposure prophylaxis, and examine awareness of this treatment to determine the reasons they are not currently receiving this treatment. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> We retrospectively analysed the data of patients who received PEP from January 2023 to August 2024. Patients who were considered in high-risk of acquiring HIV (such as those who have engaged in condomless anal sex or had a documented bacterial sexually transmitted infection) were selected to conduct a phone interview. An informational brochure was written in collaboration with the Preventive Medicine Department for patients who requested more information. <h3>Results</h3> In this period, 203 PEP were given to our patients (137 men and 66 women). 71 of them were in high-risk for HIV infection, among them, 21 had already started PrEP when we contacted them and 7 declined to participate in the interview. Therefore, we conducted 43 interviews (median age 34 years [IQR 20–54]); 41 of our patients were men and have heard of PrEP before. However, 42% (18/43) were unfamiliar with the specifics of the treatment and 53% (23/43) did not know how to access it. Additionally, 58% (25/41) requested our informational brochure for further details. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> Currently, there are still many patients who could benefit from PrEP but have not accessed it due to a lack of awareness. From the outpatient pharmacy area, efforts can be made to raise awareness and identify patients at risk of HIV to connect them with PrEP and reduce the incidence of HIV in the population. <h3>References and/or Acknowledgements</h3> <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest