{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T09:38:23Z","timestamp":1785404303826,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":11,"publisher":"AOSIS","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,5]],"date-time":"2025-06-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1749081600000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study addresses the importance of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the context of sexual assault. Post-exposure prophylaxis serves as a critical intervention to reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and unintended pregnancies for victim-survivors. Immediate access to PEP, emergency contraception and comprehensive medical assessments is essential for effective care. The study outlines the steps healthcare providers must take, including timely administration of prophylaxis, monitoring for side effects and offering psychosocial support to victim-survivors. It emphasises the need for follow-up visits to ensure ongoing care and the importance of implementing risk-reduction strategies until final infection outcomes are confirmed. Additionally, the role of standardised documentation, such as the J88 form, is highlighted for collecting evidence in cases of sexual violence, ensuring that healthcare practitioners understand their responsibilities in promoting justice. The study underscores the social obligation of healthcare professionals to combat gender-based violence, advocating for reporting mechanisms for child victims and appropriate referral pathways for positive test results. By prioritising the health and wellbeing of victim-survivors, the healthcare community can significantly contribute to their recovery and empowerment, ultimately fostering a supportive environment that addresses both medical and emotional needs following sexual assault.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/safp.v67i1.6073","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,20]],"date-time":"2025-06-20T02:57:56Z","timestamp":1750388276000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Post-exposure prophylaxis for sexual assault victim-survivors: Guidelines and best practices"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"67","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4287-1168","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mergan","family":"Naidoo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9658-3826","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ramprakash","family":"Kaswa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/02svzjn28","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Walter Sisulu University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0126-8087","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Indiran","family":"Govender","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/02svzjn28","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Walter Sisulu University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Patel P, Borkowf CB, Brooks JT, Lasry A, Lansky A, Mermin J. Estimating per-act HIV transmission risk: A systematic review. AIDS. 2014;28(10):1509\u20131519. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/QAD.0000000000000298","DOI":"10.1097\/QAD.0000000000000298"},{"key":"ref1","unstructured":"The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV\/AIDS (UNAIDS). The path that ends AIDS: UNAIDS global AIDS update 2023. Geneva: United Nations; 2023."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Horak J, Venter WDF, Wattrus C, et al. Southern African HIV clinicians society 2023 guideline for post-exposure prophylaxis: Updated recommendations. South Afr J HIV Med. 2023;24(1):1522. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/sajhivmed.v24i1.1522","DOI":"10.4102\/sajhivmed.v24i1.1522"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Inciarte A, Leal L, Masfarre L, et al. Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection in sexual assault victims. HIV Med. 2020;21(1):43\u201352. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/hiv.12797","DOI":"10.1111\/hiv.12797"},{"key":"ref4","unstructured":"South African National Department of Health. National clinical guidelines of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in occupational and non-occupational exposures 2020. Pretoria: South African National Department of Health; 2021."},{"key":"ref5","unstructured":"World Health Organisation. Guidelines for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. Geneva: World Health Organisation Press; 2024."},{"key":"ref6","unstructured":"National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa. The Thuthuzela care centre integrated approach to rape care management is one of respect, comfort, restoring dignity and ensuring justice for the girls, boys, women and men who are victims of sexual violence. National Prosecuting Authority; 2019."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Randa MB, McGarry J, Griffiths S, Hinsliff-Smith K. Accessing care services after sexual violence: A systematic review exploring experiences of women in South Africa. Curationis. 2023;46(1):e1\u2013e10. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/curationis.v46i1.2405","DOI":"10.4102\/curationis.v46i1.2405"},{"key":"ref8","unstructured":"Western Cape Government. Management and post-exposure prophylaxis of potential HIV and Hepatitis B exposure in children, adolescents & adults guidelines 2020. Western Cape Department of Health; 2020."},{"key":"ref9","unstructured":"Republic of South Africa. Children\u2019s Act No 38 of 2005. Pretoria: Government Printer; 2005."},{"key":"ref10","unstructured":"Republic of South Africa, Sexual offences and related matters amendment Act No. 32 of 2007. Pretoria: Government Printer; 2007."}],"container-title":["South African Family Practice"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/viewFile\/6073\/9435","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/viewFile\/6073\/9436","content-type":"application\/epub+zip","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/viewFile\/6073\/9437","content-type":"text\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/viewFile\/6073\/9438","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/viewFile\/6073\/9438","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,1]],"date-time":"2025-07-01T03:18:23Z","timestamp":1751339903000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/safpj.co.za\/index.php\/safpj\/article\/view\/6073"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,5]]},"references-count":11,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,5]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v67i1.6073","relation":{},"ISSN":["2078-6190","2078-6204"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2078-6190","type":"print"},{"value":"2078-6204","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,5]]},"article-number":"a6073"}}