Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a promising but under-utilized strategy for HIV prevention in high-risk populations. Between March 2010 and June 2011, two community-based clinics in Los Angeles County provided PEP in a pilot program to 267 unique individuals. Courses were primarily dispensed to men who have sex with men (84%) and consisted overwhelmingly of a three-drug antiretroviral therapy regimen containing two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and either an integrase inhibitor (raltegravir) or a boosted protease inhibitor (lopinavir/ritonavir). Approximately 64% of all PEP courses were followed for at least 12 weeks, and seven individuals seroconverted. Of the seven seroconversions, six had subsequent re-exposure. The low rate of PEP failure calls for expanded funding for PEP in other jurisdictions.
Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy; HIV; North America; high-risk behavior; homosexual.