final program.qxd - Parallels Plesk Panel

FP 2.6
Tolerability of antiretroviral drugs used in post exposure prophylaxis after sexual
assault in the Cape Metropole region
P.Mugabo
Department of Pharmacology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
Objectives
Zidovudine and lamivudine are used in post exposure prophylactic (PEP) treatment after
rape. The major problems experienced in the management of HIV in rape survivors is the
low rate of response to follow-up visits. The aim of this study was to determine the safety
and tolerability of the antiretroviral drugs used in PEP and to find out whether the
intolerability could explain the poor follow - up rate.
Methods
The study was designed as a retrospective and prospective survey involving female rape
survivors randomly selected from the register of rape victims recorded in 2004 and 2005
at Karl Bremer Hospital. 150 survivors were retrospectively surveyed and 100 survivors
were prospectively followed up. Descriptive, quantitative statistical methods were used for
assessment of the data. Informed written consent was obtained from each survivor
involved in the study.
Results
The ages of the victims range between 1 and 60 years. Of the survivors interviewed, 77%
had taken the medication as prescribed; of these 63% completed treatment and 37% did
not. The reasons for not completing the course of medication included: too many tablets
to take (2%), felt sick (2%), perceived medicines as toxic (5%), did not return to hospital
for balance of medicine (25%), forgot medication at home while on a trip (2%) and side
effects (64%).The main side effects experienced are nervousness and anxiety (33%),
nausea (65%), vomiting (31%), fatigue (33.5%), bloating or gas in the stomach (53.7%),
abdominal cramps (19%), loss of appetite (55%), depression (sadness) (26%), insomnia
(24%), dizziness (19.3%), muscle aches and/or joint pain (15.3%), difficulty in
remembering (11%), headache (12%), fever, chills and sweats (10.5%).
Conclusion
This study explains why rape victims did not attend follow up visits. Side effects are the
major cause. More rape survivors should be involved in this study for more conclusive
results.
Acknowledgment:
I wish to acknowledge the University of the Western Cape for financial support of the
project.
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