Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening and Preexposure Prophylaxis.

Abstract

Obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) and other reproductive care professionals are uniquely suited to counsel their patients on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening and HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) due to their expertise in reproductive health counseling. Ob-gyns and other health care professionals should be obtaining comprehensive sexual health histories, assessing risk behavior, and providing their patients information regarding prevention of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. When framing their counseling, health care professionals should consider epidemiologic data and HIV prevalence rates for their practice area, and counseling should include discussion of prevention methods. Deciding route of administration and form of PrEP medication should be part of a shared decision-making model between the patient and clinician. By normalizing conversations about HIV prevention, encouraging HIV screening, and ensuring awareness of and access to PrEP, ob-gyns can help reduce disparities in individuals with HIV and those at risk of acquisition.