Epidemiology of HIV infection: barriers to PreP medication and strategies to overcome them

ABSTRACT

Background: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is a strong way to treat the new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infectious disease. In particular, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication is administered before exposure to virus and produces spectacular results, thus saving numerous human lives.

Purpose: This article analyses the position of Greece in relation to the epidemiology of HIV virus in the last decade compared to other European countries, paying particular attention to the objectives of the United Nations Organisation (UNO). In addition, it refers to the barriers faced by people infected with HIV, the implementation of PrEP treatment and the strategies to overcome those barriers. 

Material and Method: An English language literature review on Scopus, Pubmed and Google Scholar international databases became by using the below keywords.

Results: Antiretroviral therapy constitutes a new preventive measure, before or after exposure, against HIV transmission. Although Greece has partially achieved the UNO desired objectives in 2020 in terms of HIV diagnosis and treatment, a great deal of effort is still required to fully achieve them. Unfortunately, the barriers during PrEP treatment are multiple but the multifaceted approach to the issue, combined with efficient interventions and strategies of governments and our overall behaviour, may overcome them. 

Conclusions: AIDS elimination, together with the timely implementation and administration of best combination antiretroviral therapies (cART), contributes to the restriction or termination of global HIV epidemic.

Keywords: infection, AIDS, PrEP medication, barriers, strategies emotional regulation