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Antibiotic prophylaxis of sexually transmitted infections with doxycycline (doxy-PEP, doxy-PrEP) – knowledge, attitudes and prescribing practices among potential prescribers and consultants

What is this about and why are we conducting this survey?

For approximately 20 years, the number of syphilis diagnoses in Germany has been increasing, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Additionally, several other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, have been diagnosed with greater frequency in recent years. 

Studies involving MSM (men who have sex with men) and trans* women who have sex with men have shown that the risk of syphilis or chlamydia infection can be reduced by taking the antibiotic doxycycline prophylactically, meaning even without a diagnosis of an infection. For example, a doxycycline tablet is taken within 24 hours after sex. This approach is referred to as 'Doxy-PEP' (post-exposure prophylaxis). In some studies, daily intake of doxycycline ('Doxy-PrEP', pre-exposure prophylaxis) has also been investigated. 

With this anonymous survey, we aim to identify the knowledge and attitudes of potential prescribers regarding the prophylactic use of doxycycline or other antibiotics, as well as the level of interest among prospective users. Additionally, we seek to determine the circumstances under which Doxy-PEP might be utilized from the perspective of potential prescribers.

The aim of this study is to improve healthcare provision for MSM and trans* women by gathering the perspectives of potential prescribers, in order to incorporate these later into the development of general recommendations.

What information is collected?

Some of the information we collect also involves private areas. You are asked to answer questions on a range of topics: sociodemographic information, your opinions on various STI prevention methods, your counseling, and prescription of prophylactic antibiotics. However, we do not collect any data that can personally identify you and guarantee your anonymity.

Who can participate in the survey?

Please only participate in this anonymous survey if you are professionally involved in the healthcare of sexually transmitted infections.

This includes for example

  • Physicians/medical doctors and healthcare professionals specialized in HIV care, dermatology, urology, gynecology, general medicine, internal medicine, infectiology.
  • Social worker/counselors at HIV and STI counseling centers in public or non-profit organizations or in pharmacies


Information on the processing of survey responses / data protection

The data is collected and processed anonymously. You do not provide any identifiers, and we collect the data without storing any information about your device or other identifiers, such as the IP address.

As part of the survey, the following data will be collected:

  • Demographic characteristics (for example age, gender identity, occupation);
  • Knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic STI prophylaxis;
  • Prevalence of use among patients or clients and your own prescribing behavior.

We have designed the survey in such a way that no conclusions can be drawn about the identity of the participating individuals or identifiable groups from the answers we ask you to provide. Please do not enter any personally identifiable data in the free text fields. Accordingly, the data is not personal data, and the provisions regarding the rights of data subjects under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) do not apply.

When participating, we kindly ask you to consider the following, also in the the best scientific interest: A later correction or deletion of your responses is not possible, as we cannot associate the responses with the participants. If you are unsure, you may cancel the survey at any time, thereby ending your participation. No survey responses will be saved in that case.

The data will be stored at the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and statistically analyzed. The research results may be published in anonymous form.

For any further questions, the study director responsible for the survey is available.

PD Dr. med. Ricardo N. Werner
Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Charitéplatz 1
10117 Berlin
Mail: ricardo.werner@charite.de

For data protection-related questions, you can contact the data protection officer at Charité: Behördliche Datenschutzbeauftragte der Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Phone: +49 30 450 580016, Mail: datenschutzbeauftragte@charite.de. In principle, you have the right to file a complaint with a data protection supervisory authority.

Your participation is entirely voluntary. You have the right to discontinue your participation at any time for any reason, without facing any negative repercussions. Engaging in this survey does not present any risks or drawbacks, nor does it offer direct benefits to you. However, your participation can contribute to scientific insights that benefit the general public and improve healthcare services for MSM and trans* women.

Participation takes approximately 20 minutes.

If you wish to participate in the study described here, please check the box and click “Next”