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Implementing U=U in clinical practice: results of a British HIV association members survey
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  1. Nadi Gupta1,
  2. Yvonne Gilleece2,
  3. Chloe Orkin3
  1. 1Department of Integrated Sexual Health, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Rotherham, UK
  2. 2Lawson Unit, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, UK
  3. 3Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Nadi Gupta, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, Rotherham, UK; nadigupta{at}doctors.org.uk

https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2020-054462

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    In 2016, the Prevention Access Campaign, launched the Undetectable=Untransmittable statement.1 U=U is arguably the single most important communication for people living with HIV and is based on a solid foundation of scientific evidence. The zero risk of sexual transmission represents a significant change in messaging. The British HIV Association (BHIVA) conducted an anonymised member’s questionnaire on U=U. Members could select different answer options, submit free text and opt out of answering questions. The survey was emailed to members in October 2018 (see table 1).

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Survey results

    The majority were discussing U=U routinely. However, inconsistencies were observed. The BHIVA U=U position statement was devised, recommending proactive discussion and use of the word ‘zero’ to describe risk.2 The BHIVA monitoring guideline was updated, highlighting that U=U applies in the presence of STI’s. Healthcare providers have a duty to disseminate clear, accurate and unambiguous information to maximise well-being and dismantle stigma.

    References

    1. ↵
      1. Prevention Access Campaign Consensus statement
      . Risk of sexual transmission of HIV from a person living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load. Available: https://www.preventionaccess.org/consensus
    2. ↵
      1. British HIV Association
      . British HIV association position statement on U=U, 2018. Available: https://www.bhiva.org/BHIVA-encourages-universal-promotion-of-U-U

    Footnotes

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.