Background: In France non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is recommended in case of sexual assault and can be prescribed, after risk evaluation, in emergency or AIDS care units.
Methods: A survey was carried out on retrospective data of individuals being consulted for nPEP in south-eastern France.
Results: Of the 915 consultations for sexual exposures, 94 were sexual assaults concerning adults. Most were prescribed nPEP (91.5%), but half were lost to follow-up.
Conclusions: During the study period throughout the same region, 623 survivors reported sexual assault to the police. The comparison of these figures shows that the number of victims who have no access to medical consultation for nPEP may be alarmingly high and strongly suggests the urgency to develop strategies for guaranteeing prompt HIV medical assessment for victims of sexual assault and assure adherence to medical follow-up.