Brief Report: Preventing HIV-1 Infection in Women Using Oral Preexposure Prophylaxis: A Meta-analysis of Current Evidence

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2016 Dec 15;73(5):606-608. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001160.

Abstract

The World Health Organization has issued an early release revision to its antiretroviral guidelines in which PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis in the form of daily oral, fixed dose combination tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) is recommended as a prevention option to all people at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. However, lack of effectiveness in 2 major women-only PrEP trials, VOICE and FEM-PrEP, continues to be a cause for concern about achieving effectiveness for women in Southern Africa. We conducted a series of meta-analyses of oral effectiveness of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine in women including all 5 randomized placebo-controlled trials that included women. An adherence-based meta-analysis model showed that with high levels of adherence (75%), oral PrEP is estimated to be effective (relative risk = 0.39, 95% confidence interval: 0.25 to 0.60). Provided that these results apply to women in Southern Africa, future prevention trial designs in that region should account for potentially reduced HIV incidence when PrEP is available.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Southern
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence
  • Placebos / administration & dosage
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / methods*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Placebos