PHO Rounds: Doxy-PEP for STI Prevention in Cisgender gbMSM, PLHIV and Trans Women

Doxycycline, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, has shown promising results as a preventive measure for STIs (sexually transmitted infection) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. In Canada, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) and trans women are disproportionately impacted by sexually transmitted infections. Various research studies in gbMSM, trans women, and people living with HIV (PLHIV) have demonstrated efficacy of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) for preventing bacterial STIs, with an estimated reduction in overall STI rates around 70 percent in populations taking doxy PEP. However, doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis did not show clinical efficacy in cisgender women. These uses raise questions about antimicrobial resistance, its impact on the gut microbiome, and its lack of efficacy in cisgender women. In this Rounds presentation, presenters will explore research on doxy-PEP and various vital considerations for this STI prevention strategy.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Interpret research studies on the efficacy of doxy-PEP for STI prevention
• Describe the benefits versus risks of doxy-PEP in gbMSM, trans women, and PLHIV
• Discuss how to implement access and facilitate removing barriers for sexual health discussions
• Develop competencies in prescribing doxy-PEP for gbMSM, trans women, and PLHIV based on CDC recommendations
Presenter(s): Dr. Jordan Goodridge and Devan Nambiar

The presentation can be found here: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en...