Missed Opportunities for Preexposure Prophylaxis Initiation in Hospitalized Persons With Opioid Use Disorder and Infectious Diseases

TL;DR

The study shows that hospitalized opioid users with infections rarely know about HIV prevention methods like PrEP, highlighting missed chances to educate and protect them.

Contribution

The novel contribution is identifying hospitalization as a critical but underused opportunity to promote HIV prevention among opioid users.

Findings

Less than half of hospitalized opioid users with infections had heard of PrEP.

None of the patients were taking PrEP despite being at risk for HIV.

Most patients underestimated their HIV risk.

Abstract

Hospitalizations are increasing among persons who use opioids, secondary to overdose and infections. Our study identified acute hospitalization as a reachable moment for engaging people who use drugs in increased screening and education about human immunodeficiency virus risk and prevention (preexposure prophylaxis).

In patients with opioid use disorder admitted to the hospital for an infection, less than half had heard of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and none were taking PrEP. The majority of patients believed they had no or low risk of HIV infection.