The risk of HIV among women after acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and considerations for their use of PrEP

Key take-home messages

• A recent study in the U.S. found that most women who were diagnosed with HIV did not have a reported STI in the past. Another U.S. study found that women with an STI represented a small fraction of women who acquired HIV.
• Nevertheless, guidelines in high-income countries have recommendations for the use of PrEP among women, some of which refer to a recent bacterial STI as an indicator for PrEP.
• There are no clinical trials on the use of PrEP among heterosexual populations in high-income countries and more research is needed in order to estimate accurate HIV risks for various populations, behaviours, and types of STIs.

• Population(s)
  • Women
• Prevention
  • Biomedical interventions
• Co-infections
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Other