The VicPrEP study

The Victorian HIV PrEP Demonstration Project: the VicPrEP study Project leader: Assoc Prof Edwina Wright Phone: +61 3 9076 6078 Email: Edwina.wright@monash.edu

Overview

New HIV prevention strategies are necessary in Australia because HIV infection rates continue to rise. Victoria has the highest rate of HIV diagnoses across all Australian jurisdictions and saw a rise in the rate of HIV diagnosis in its population from 4.1 to 5.7 per 100,000 between 2003-2011. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) when given as daily oral antiretroviral therapy and coupled with traditional HIV prevention measures, is efficacious in preventing HIV infection. Several studies have shown that daily tenofovir, or daily tenofovir plus emtricitabine reduce HIV transmission by 44% in Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and by > 70% in heterosexuals at risk of HIV acquisition. There is now a critical need to translate the results of these PrEP efficacy studies into the ‘real world’ as noted in recent editorials in The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine.

We are going to undertake a PrEP demonstration project in Victoria to show that PrEP can be implemented feasibly, safely and effectively in the Victorian context through an accessible program targeted at the populations at highest risk of HIV acquisition. In 2014 we plan to enrol 100 people at risk of HIV infection who wish to commence PrEP and 100 people at risk who do not wish to commence PrEP and follow them for 12 months.

Key Research Aims:

To determine
1. The uptake and pattern of use of PrEP by those at highest risk of HIV,

2. The adherence to study medication and identify factors that facilitate or impede adherence,

3. The feasibility of and the factors that are key to providing a successful Victorian PrEP program,

4. The acceptability including side effects and behavioural change associated with PrEP use

5. The risk of HIV infection in populations using PrEP.

This is an exciting project that will involve clinical, social and epidemiological research in the area of HIV prevention

Information for Students: Research Opportunities

Opportunities exist within our group to pursue BMedSc, Honours and PhD projects.

Please see below for project and contact details, or download the Department of Infectious Diseases Research Project Handout.

Research Project: The Victorian HIV PrEP Demonstration Project

Contact person: Assoc Prof Edwina Wright

Phone: +61 3 9076 6078

Email: Edwina.wright@monash.edu

All other student inquiries:
Please contact Jasminka Sterjovski (Research Manager and Student Co-ordinator)

Email: jasminka.sterjovski@monash.edu.au

Collaborators:

Associate Professor Edwina Wright
Principal Investigator

Mr Dean Murphy
Co-investigator; Study co-ordinator behavioural research; Centre Social Research in Health; AFAO

Professor John De Wit
Co-investigator; Centre Social Research in Health;

Dr Martin Holt
Co-Investigator; Social Researcher; Centre Social Research in Health;

Ms Luxshimi Lal
Role/position: Co-Investigator; Burnet Institute

Dr Iryna Zablotska
Co-Investigator; Social researcher; Kirby Institute

Dr Mark Stoove
Co-Investigator; Burnet Institute

Dr Kathy Petoumenos
Co-investigator; Biostatistician; Kirby Institute

Dr Michelle Giles
Co-Investigator; Chronic Viral Illness Program, Royal Women’s Hospital

Dr Naomi Hesse
Co-Investigator; Burnet Institute

Dr Norm Roth
Co-Investigator; general practitioner, Prahran Market Clinic

Dr Tim Read
Co-Investigator; general practitioner, Melbourne Sexual Health Center

Dr Richard Moore
Co-Investigator; general practitioner, Northside Clinic

Dr BK Tee
Co-Investigator; general practitioner, Centre Clinic

Dr Anna Pierce
Co-Investigator; Senior Physician, Victorian Non-occupational Postexposure Service, Alfred Hospital

Ms Judy Armishaw
Co-Investigator; Executive Officer, Victorian Non-occupational Postexposure Service, Alfred hospital

Dr Michelle Earle
Co-Investigator; Psychologist, Victorian Non-occupational Postexposure Service, Alfred Hospital

Professor Jenny Hoy
Co-investigator; Director Victorian HIV Service, Victorian Non-occupational Postexposure Service; Alfred Hospital

Mr Brian Price
Co-Investigator; Business Manager, Victorian HIV Service, Victorian Non-occupational Postexposure Service; Alfred Hospital

Mr Matt Dixon
Co-Investigator; CEO Victorian AIDS Council

Mr Colin Batrouney
Co-Investigator; Manager Health Promotion Program Victorian AIDS Council

Dr Marsha Rosengarten
Co-Investigator; Social Researcher; Goldsmiths; The University of London

Professor Andrew Grulich
Co-Investigator; Head HIV Epidemiology and Prevention Program, Kirby Institute

Professor Bob Grant
Co-Investigator; University of California, San Francisco

Other links:

Monash Researcher Profile: http://www.monash.edu.au/research/people/profiles/profile.html?sid=10664&pid=7288

Burnet Institute Profile: http://www.burnet.edu.au/staff_members/108_edwina_wright