Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a drug taken by HIV-negative individuals before they have sex to stop them acquiring HIV. As part of a combination approach to HIV prevention, the roll out of routine PrEP commissioning began in England in the autumn of 2020. Specialist sexual health services (SHS) are responsible for the delivery of PrEP to those at higher risk of acquiring HIV.
Determining PrEP need
This indicator is used to determine PrEP need among people accessing specialist SHS. It assesses the proportion of all HIV-negative people accessing specialist SHS who are at substantial HIV risk, and therefore could benefit from receiving PrEP. The indicator includes people who are having their need for PrEP met by receiving PrEP (met need) as well as those with need who are not currently receiving PrEP (unmet need). This indicator does not relate to better or worse performance as it will vary between services depending on local populations.
Proportion of all HIV-negative individuals accessing specialist SHS with PrEP need. People who attended for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care only are excluded as no risk assessment for PrEP takes place at these consultations.
Initiation or continuation of PrEP among those with PrEP need
This indicator assesses what proportion of individuals accessing specialist SHS with PrEP need start or continue PrEP. The higher the proportion, the better PrEP need is being met through providing PrEP. A lower proportion indicates that more people with need are leaving the service without PrEP, the reason for which will be multifactorial.
Proportion of all HIV-negative people accessing specialist SHS with estimated PrEP need who started or continued PrEP. People who attended for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care only are excluded as no risk assessment for PrEP takes place at these consultations.
Breakdown: geographic region.