Date of Award

2-2011

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Torry Cobb, DHSc, MPH, PA-C

Second Advisor

Mark Pedemonte, MD

Third Advisor

Annjanette Sommers MS, PA-C

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS is one of the most destructive and lethal health crises of today’s world. The stigma and resulting discrimination of HIV/AIDS is almost as deadly as the virus itself. Because a vaccine or cure does not exist, HIV/AIDS will continue to spread and therefore, prevention remains the key to curbing this epidemic. One method of combating this disease is through the administration of preexposure chemoprophylactic agents prior to the exposure of the infectious agent. For this systematic review, the evidence from two studies were evaluated using the GRADE tool.

Method: An exhaustive search of available medical literature was conducted using Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Systematic Reviews, CINHAL, and EBM Multifile Review.

Results: Two randomized controlled trials were reviewed. Both studies showed a reduction in HIV/AIDS acquisition with the use of anti-retroviral preexposure prophylaxis.

Conclusion: The administration of anti-retroviral preexposure chemoprophylaxis decreases the transmission rate of infection. The GRADE for the evidence was high.


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