Validation of the D:A:D chronic kidney disease risk score in people living with HIV: the IeDEA West Africa Cohort Collaboration.

OBJECTIVES: A risk score for long-term prediction of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) has been developed using data from the D:A:D cohort. We assessed the performance of the D:A:D risk score in a cohort of PLHIV in West Africa. METHODS: Data from PLHIV starting antiretroviral treatment in four clinics in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Togo participating in the IeDEA West Africa collaboration were analysed. CKD was defined as two consecutive estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) of ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 . The D:A:D score (short version) was calculated using age, gender, nadir CD4 and baseline eGFR and was categorized into low, medium, and high-risk groups. RESULTS: In 14 930 participants (70% female, median age = 38 years; median nadir CD4 count = 183 cells/µL) followed for a median duration of 5.7 years, 660 (4.4%) progressed to CKD, with an incidence [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 7.8 (7.2-8.4) per 1000 person-years (PY). CKD incidence rates were 2.4 (2.0-2.8), 8.1 (6.8-9.6) and, 30.9 (28.0-34.1) per 1000 PY in the low-, medium- and high-risk groups, respectively. In the high-risk group, 14.7% (95% CI: 13.3; 16.3) had progressed to CKD at 5 years. Discrimination was good [C-statistics = 0.81 (0.79-0.83)]. In all, 79.4% of people who progressed to CKD were classified in the medium- to high-risk group at baseline (sensitivity) and 66.5% of people classified in the low risk group at baseline did not progress to CKD (specificity). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the validity of the D:A:D score in identifying individuals at risk of developing CKD who could benefit from enhanced kidney monitoring in West African HIV clinics.

[HIV seroprevalence and associated factors among men who have sex with men in Togo]. / Séroprévalence du VIH et facteurs associés chez les hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec d'autres hommes au Togo.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on HIV infection among vulnerable populations in sub-saharan African countries, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of this study was to estimate HIV prevalence and the factors associated with HIV infection among MSM in Togo in 2011. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among MSM aged at least 18years old, living in Togo for at least 3months. They were recruited through the snowball method in six cities of Togo from November 2011 to January 2012. A survey form was used and an HIV screening test was proposed to the participants. The HIV prevalence was estimated with a 95% confidence interval. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with HIV infection. RESULTS: A total of 758 MSM were enrolled in this study, including 498 (67.5%) from Lomé, the capital of Togo. The median age was 24years with an interquartile range of [21-27years] and 271 MSM (35.7%) were students. The vast majority of MSM were Togolese (90.3%) and 14.6% were married or committed to a woman. HIV testing was accepted by 488 MSM (64.3%) but only 408 (53.8%) finally accepted a blood sample collection. The prevalence of HIV infection was 19.6% [95% confidence interval, 15.9-23.8]. In multivariate analysis, three factors were associated with HIV infection: living in Lomé, with an HIV prevalence of 29.8% against 4.3% in the other cities of Togo [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=9.68; P<0.001]; having a good knowledge of HIV transmission modes (aOR=0.59; P=0.049); and not having a regular sex partner (aOR=1.69; P=0.049). CONCLUSION: One MSM out of five was HIV-infected. Intervention programs targeting this vulnerable population are urgently needed, to reduce HIV incidence in Togo.

Cervical human papillomavirus and HIV infection in women of child-bearing age in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 2010.

BACKGROUND: We sought to document the association of Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and immunodeficiency with oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women with no cervical neoplastic lesions identified through a cervical cancer screening programme in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: A consecutive sample of women stratified on their HIV status and attending the national blood donor clinic or the closest HIV clinic was recruited during a cervical cancer screening programme based on the visual inspection. Diagnosis of HPV infection and genotype identification were based on the Linear Array; HPV test. RESULTS: A total of 445 (254 HIV-positive and 191 HIV-negative) women were included. The prevalence of oncogenic HPV infection was 53.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 47.9-59.9) in HIV-positive women and 33.7% (95% CI 27.1-40.3) in HIV-negative women (odds ratio (OR)=2.3 (95% CI 1.5-3.3)). In multivariate analysis, HIV-positive women with a CD4 count <200 cells mm(3) or between 200 and 499 cells mm(3) were more likely to harbour an oncogenic HPV compared with women with a CD4 count ≥500 cells mm(3) with OR of 2.8 (95% CI 1.1-8.1) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.0-2.9), respectively. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of oncogenic HPV was found in women with no cervical neoplastic lesions, especially in HIV-positive women. Despite antiretroviral use, immunodeficiency was a main determinant of the presence of oncogenic HPV.

Medicinal plant use and adherence problems to TB treatment.

BACKGROUND: Good adherence is essential in the treatment of TB. The aim of this study was to describe medication consumption patterns and to assess factors associated with adherence to TB treatment among TB patients in Lomé, Togo.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among TB patients in 10 health structures in Lomé from September 2019 to January 2020. TB patients aged ≥18 years and under treatment for at least 2 months were eligible for this study. Adherence to TB treatment was assessed using the Girerd compliance test.RESULTS: A total of 195 TB patients (61.5% male) with a median age of 35 years (IQR 27-44) were recruited. TB-HIV coinfection was 11.3%. Polypharmacy (≥5 medications/day) and using medicinal plants were observed in respectively 6.2% and 42.6% of patients. Prevalence of TB treatment adherence problems was 68.2% (95% CI 61.2-74.7). Being <35 years (aOR 2.79; P = 0.005) and taking medicinal plants (aOR 4.31; P < 0.001) were associated with TB treatment adherence problems.CONCLUSION: Treatment adherence problems, a major obstacle to TB elimination, are highly prevalent in TB patients in Lomé, and were associated with the use of medicinal plants. Reasons for the use of medicinal plants should be documented in order to propose appropriate interventions to reinforce adherence to TB treatment.

Prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in health professionals in Togo, 2021.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among health professionals (HPs) in Togo. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study was conducted between 24 February and 3 March 2021 among HPs in Togo. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and intention of vaccination were collected using an online questionnaire. Willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was assessed using a single item: "Would you be willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19?". Responses were grouped into three categories: acceptance (Yes, I will get vaccinated), hesitancy (Not decided yet) and refusal (No). Multinomial regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with vaccine hesitancy or refusal. RESULTS: A total of 1115 HPs (79.1% male) with a median age of 35 years were enrolled in the study. Vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and refusal were 44.1%, 32.2% and 23.7%, respectively. Female gender was associated with an increased risk of hesitancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.93; p = 0.005) and refusal (aOR = 1.77; p = 0.005). Participant age ≥ 50 years, having a personal history of COVID-19 infection and a good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccination were factors that reduced the risk of refusal [(aOR = 0.30; p < 0.001), (aOR = 0.43; p = 0.031) and (aOR = 0.62; p = 0.020)] or hesitancy [(aOR = 0.53; p = 0.005), (aOR = 0.13; p < 0.001) and (aOR = 0.35; p < 0.001)] of the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine before the vaccination campaign was mixed among HPs, especially young HPs. Sensitisation and information campaigns should be reinforced to combat misinformation and increase COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in the context of the ongoing global pandemic.

Implementing family-focused HIV care and treatment: the first 2 years' experience of the mother-to-child transmission-plus program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a family-focused approach to HIV care and treatment and report on the first 2 years experience of implementing the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)-plus program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. PROGRAM: The MTCT-plus initiative aims to enroll HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women in comprehensive HIV care and treatment for themselves and their families. MAIN OUTCOMES: Between August 2003 and August 2005, 605 HIV-infected pregnant or postpartum women and 582 HIV-exposed infants enrolled. Of their 568 male partners reported alive, 52% were aware of their wife's HIV status and 30% were tested for HIV; 53% of these tested partners were found to be HIV-infected and 78% enrolled into the program. Overall only 10% of the women enrolled together with their infected partner. On the other hand, the program involved half of the seronegative men who came for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in the care of their families. Of 1624 children <15 years reported alive by their mothers (excluding the last newborn infants of the most recent pregnancy systematically screened for HIV), only 10.8% were brought in for HIV testing, of whom 12.3% were found to be HIV-infected. LESSONS LEARNED AND CHALLENGES: The family-focused model of HIV care pays attention to the needs of families and household members. The program was successful in enrolling HIV women, their partners and infants in continuous follow-up. However engaging partners and family members of newly enrolled women into care involves numerous challenges such as disclosure of HIV status by women to their partners and family members. Further efforts are required to understand barriers for families accessing HIV services as strategies to improve partner involvement and provide access to care for other children in the households are needed in this West African urban setting.

[Contraceptive use and incidence of pregnancy among women after HIV testing in Abidjan, Ivory Coast]. / Pratiques contraceptives et incidence des grossesses chez des femmes après un dépistage VIH à Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: Within the framework of programs for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, women who discover their HIV-infection during their pregnancy receive perinatal interventions in order to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to the child. They also receive family planning counselling and free contraceptives in order to avoid a new pregnancy. In this study, we compared contraceptive use and pregnancy incidence between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women who were offered HIV counselling and testing during a program of prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. METHODS: In the Ditrame Plus program in Abidjan, 546 HIV-positive and 393 HIV-negative women were HIV-tested prenatally and followed up 2 years after delivery. At each post-partum visit, proportions of contraceptive use were noted, by method. The pregnancy incidence was calculated as the number of pregnancies for 100 women-years at risk. Factors related to the arrival of a new pregnancy were analyzed by Cox model. RESULTS: Between 6 and 24 months post-partum, proportions of women using modern contraception varied from 52 to 65% among HIV-positive women, and from 65 to 75% among HIV-negative women. Pregnancy incidence for 100 women-years at risk was 5.70 (95%CI: 4.17-7.23) and 4.37 (95%CI : 2.83-5.91) (p=0.237) and unwanted pregnancy incidence was 1.07 (95%CI: 0.41-1.73) and 2.39 (95%CI: 1.25-3.53) (p=0.023), respectively among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. The end of post-partum abstinence, the death of the index child and the end of breastfeeding were positively linked to the arrival of a new pregnancy in the post-partum period. CONCLUSION: Among these women prenatally HIV-tested, family planning counselling and regular follow-up was accompanied by a high rate of contraceptive use after delivery, and consecutively to a low pregnancy incidence irrespective of serostatus. In particular, HIV-positive women had fewer unwanted pregnancies than HIV-negative women. Integration of adequate family planning services in the post-partum follow-up in prevention programs plays an important role in reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission, by reducing pregnancies among HIV-positive women.

Prevalence of HIV infection and hepatitis B and factors associated with them among men who had sex with men in Togo in 2017.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a population at risk of contracting both HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV). The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of these diseases and the factors associated with them among MSM in Togo in 2017. This cross-sectional study took place in eight major cities in Togo from August through September, 2017. MSM aged 18 years and older were recruited with the respondent-driven sampling method. Data on sexual behavior were collected with a standardized questionnaire. Rapid tests were used to screen for HIV and HBV. In all, 678 MSM with a median age of 23 years (interquartile range: 21-26) were recruited, 68.7% of them living in Lomé, the capital of Togo. The prevalence of HIV was 22.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 18.9-25.3) and that of HBV 7.1% (95% CI 5.3-9.3). Seven (1.0%) MSM were co-infected with HIV and HBV. Age, place of residence, living with a male partner, the number of male partners in the 12 months before the study, and history of HIV testing were associated with HIV infection (P<0.05). Age and living in Lomé were associated with HBV infection (P<0.05). The results of this study highlight the importance of focusing response efforts on populations at risk of contracting STIs through routine screening and vaccination.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus, human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Togo: a national cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: Sub-Saharan Africa is a region with high incidence of both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cervical cancer. We conducted the first national study in Togo to assess prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSW). METHODS: A multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted among FSW recruited in hot spots (clubs, streets) in four Togolese cities. HPV and STIs were tested from cervical and anal swabs. HIV and syphilis were screened with rapid tests. RESULTS: In all, 310 FSW were recruited; HIV and cervical high-risk HPV (hrHPV) prevalence were 10.6% (33/310) and 32.9% (102/310), respectively. The most frequent hrHPV types were HPV58 (13.6%, 19/140), HPV35 (12.9%, 18/140), HPV31 (12.1%, 17/140) and HPV16 (10.7%, 15/140). Prevalence of hrHPV and multiple hrHPV infections showed higher rates in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative FSW (48.5% versus 31.0%, p 0.04 and 21.2% versus 9.0%, p 0.03; respectively). Prevalence of hrHPV was higher in cervical than anal swabs (34.1% versus 20.7%, p 0.0004). High-risk HPV anal infections were more frequent among HIV-positive than HIV-negative FSW (51.9% versus 17.3%, p 2 × 10-5). Concomitant anal and cervical hrHPV infections were present in 43.2% (41/95) of hrHPV-positive FSW. Overall prevalence in the cervix of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis were 4.2%, 6.1%, 5.5% and 6.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This first African study on paired cervical and anal samples showed a high prevalence of genital HPV infections with a rather high rate of concomitant HPV infections but low type concordance. We report an unusual distribution of hrHPV types. These findings highlight the critical need for implementation of a national HPV vaccination strategy.

Sexual prevention of HIV within the couple after prenatal HIV-testing in West Africa.

The resumption of sexual activity after delivery is a key moment in the management of the risk of sexual HIV transmission within the couple for women who have been prenatally tested for HIV. In this study, we have investigated consistent condom use during the resumption of sexual activity and its evolution over time among women tested for HIV infection during pregnancy. We tested for HIV during pregnancy 546 HIV-infected and 393 HIV-negative women within the Ditrame Plus ANRS project in Abidjan; these women were followed-up for two years after delivery. Most HIV-negative women (96.7%) disclosed their HIV-test result to their partners, whereas only 45.6% of HIV-infected women did so (p<0.001). Partners of HIV-infected women were more likely to be tested for HIV before resuming sexual activity than partners of HIV-negative women (11.7% vs. 7.4%, p=0.054). Less than one third of both HIV-infected and HIV-negative women reported having systematically used condoms during the resumption of sexual activity. The proportions of HIV-infected and HIV-negative women having consistently used condoms were respectively 26.2% and 19.8% (p=0.193) at 3 months post-partum, 12.1% and 15.9% (p=0.139) at 12 months post-partum, and 8.4% and 10.6% (p=0.302) at 18 months post-partum. In our study, although women had been prenatally tested for HIV and properly counselled on the sexual risk of HIV transmission, male partners were not tested for HIV before the resumption of sexual activity after delivery, very few couples were using condoms systematically and condom use was decreasing over time.

Digital Health in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa: Catching Up!

Digital health has the potential to strengthen health systems and empower patients to prevent ill health and manage their own care. To confirm this potential, however, it is urgent to shift from pilot studies to the implementation of programs at a sufficient scale, with interoperable solutions and integrated into the national health system, while respecting human rights. It is also important to plan for studies to demonstrate the impact and produce the necessary evidence. Francophone sub-Saharan Africa can catch up in this area.

Lipid profile in an adult population in Guadeloupe.

The purpose of this study was to provide data on lipid distribution and to investigate the association between hypercholesterolemia and other factors. A cross-sectional survey of insured subjects in an Health Center of Guadeloupe in 1999. Data from a consecutive series of 1 010 individuals aged 18 years and older, collected during a 3 month-period, were used. Standardized interviews and measurements of blood lipid abnormalities and other cardiovascular risk factors were carried out. Overall, 27% had elevated total cholesterol (TC) levels above 200 mg/dL, 11.7% had TC levels above 240 mg/dL, 18.1% had LDL-C levels above160 mg/dL, 12.5% had HDL-C below 35 mg/dL and 2.7% had triglyceride levels above 200 mg/dL. Isolated low HDL-C was found in 22% of the subjects and 10.8% had both TC above 240 mg/dL and LDL-C above 160 mg/dL. Only 22% of the subjects with high TC were aware of their diagnosis and 5% were treated. The risk of having hypercholesterolemia above 200 mg/dL was independently and significantly higher in case of hypertension, age above 45 in men or 55 in women, body mass index above 30 and familial history of dyslipidemia. These findings document the first report on dyslipidemia in Guadeloupe. It showed that the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia was lower than in developed countries, but markedly higher than in Africa. Modifications of lifestyle and adapted therapeutics are necessary to decrease cardiovascular mortality.

[Survival analysis of diabetic patients on dialysis in Guadeloupe]. / Survie des patients diabétiques dialysés en Guadeloupe.

BACKGROUND: Both diabetes and hypertension, two conditions that can lead to renal failure, have a high prevalence in Guadeloupe. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and epidemiological features of diabetic patients on end stage renal failure and to evaluate their survival. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Data of the Guadeloupe Kidney registry were analysed for patients who began chronic dialysis during 1978-1997. Follow up information on survival status was obtained up to January 26(th) 1999. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to determine the relative risk (RR) of death between levels of independant variables. RESULTS: There were 784 dialysis patients of whom 174 (22%) were diabetics. Among the latter, there were 97 women (55,7%), mean age at the start of dialysis was 60.6 years (range 26-83) and arterial hypertension was present before the start of dialysis in 67% of them. Median survival MS (95%CI) was significantly lower in diabetics 42 months (31-52) than in non diabetics 83 months (70-96), p<10(-4). In diabetics, the cumulative probability of survival was 83% (1 year) and 39% (5 years) and the RR of death (95% CI) were 1.90 (1.10-3.22) and 3.43 (2.00-5.87) for diabetics admitted in dialysis in age-class 55-64 years and 65-83 years, respectively, when that for age-class 54 years was set at 1. 00. The RR for diabetics was 1.67 (1.33-2.10) relative to non diabetics. CONCLUSION: Prospective studies are warranted to describe the role of comorbid conditions in diabetic patients survival. Prevention of degenerative complications should be a priority in this population.

[Health behaviour of women attending child health clinics in health centers at Abidjan, Ivory Coast]. / Comportements de santé des femmes consultant en protection maternelle et infantile dans lese formations sanitaires d'Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the health behaviour of women attending child health clinics in four health centres (HC) in the Yopougon and Abobo districts of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in March 2000. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey among women who came for infant consultations in the HC. Anonymous questionnaires filled in through interviews by social workers about the last pregnancy, delivery, and family planning (FP). RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-six women were interviewed in 1 month. The age (median: 25 years) and parity (median: two liveborn children) were comparable in the four HCs. A median of four prenatal consultations had been performed during the last pregnancy. The search of albumin and sugar in urine had been performed in >90% of women, like tetanus toxoid immunisation, anti-malaria and anti-anaemia prophylaxis. Blood group was checked in half of the women, syphilis infection status and haemoglobin level in less than one third. According to the HC, 3-23% of the women delivered at home. If delivery occurred in a HC, median duration between admission and delivery was 116 min while median stay at the HC after delivery was 11 h. Only 14% of the women had attended at least one post-partum consultation and 8.5% a FP consultation. CONCLUSION: Our observations have shown a relatively good management of pregnancy in these HC of Abidjan and some failures regarding delivery, post-partum follow-up and infant feeding.

[Predictive factors of suicide? an 8-year-long prospective longitudinal study of 200 psychiatric inpatients]. / Les facteurs prédictifs du suicide: étude prospective sur 8 ans de 200 patients hospitalisés en psychiatrie.

Suicide is the most dramatic complication of psychiatric disorders. Certain risk factors are generally accepted by practitioners. Mental disorders increase (tenfold) suicidal risk. However, this "statistically rare event" renders very difficult the definition of predictive factors. A personal prospective longitudinal study of 200 psychiatric inpatients followed up during an 8-year period found 5% of deaths by suicide. Amongst the various risk factors reputed predictive for suicide, only 2 were found statistically more frequent in the suicidal group: familial antecedents (1st degree relatives) of suicide and hospitalization in psychiatry. Impulsivity was also more frequent but could be imputed to the younger age of the suicide victims. Therefore, it was impossible to find determinants of suicide. This makes difficult preventive measures, excepted that psychiatric patients are at a much greater risk and should be diagnosed and correctly treated. There are also increasing legal aspects of responsibility for psychiatrists and psychiatric institutions in charge of these patients.

[Factors predicting outcome of trial of labor after prior cesarean section in a developing country]. / Facteurs prédictifs de l'issue d'une épreuve utérine en milieu sous-équipé

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors predictive of the outcome of trial of labor after cesarean section in women living in developing countries. MATERIAL: and methods. A retrospective study of 313 cases of trial of labor was conducted in patients with a history of at least one prior cesarean section. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors. The adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were used to indicate risk of failure of the trial of labor when the factor was present. RESULTS: The rate of vaginal birth was 71.6%. Factors significantly predictive of failure of trial of labor were birth weight>3000 g (OR=2.68; 95%CI: 1.57-4.57), no previous vaginal delivery (OR=1.71; 95%CI: 1.26-3.76) and maternal age>28 years (OR=1.71; 95%CI: 1.01-2.90). CONCLUSION: Trial of labor should be proposed in most women with one previous cesarean section. A prior history of vaginal delivery is the best predictor of the positive outcome of trial of labor.

[Blood pressure in Guadeloupe. Analysis according to classification criteria of the 6th report of the Joint National Committee]. / La pression artérielle en Guadeloupe. Analyse selon les critères de classification du sixième rapport du Joint National Committee.

OBJECTIVES: To study blood pressure distribution according to the new classification criteria of the JNC VI. To study the other cardiovascular risk factors related to blood pressure stage. METHOD: A cross sectional survey was undertaken in a medical center in Guadeloupe in 1999. The study included 1016 consecutive adult subjects. Blood pressure measurements were done with an automated oscillometric method (dynamap). RESULTS: A total of 609 women and 407 men participated in the study. Hypertension (systolic blood pressure > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > or = 90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive medication) was present in 326 subjects (32.1%). Hypertension was more frequently found in men than in women (p = 0.008). Over the whole sample, 53.1% had optimal or normal blood pressure, 14.9% had high normal blood pressure, 16.1% were stage 1 hypertension and 15.9% were stage 2 or 3 hypertension or were on antihypertensive medication. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl) increased significantly with increasing blood pressure in men (p = 0.002) and women (p < 0.001). Prevalence of dyslipidemia (total cholesterolemia > or = 240 mg/dl or HDL-cholesterol < 35 mg/dl or currently receiving antihyperlipidemic therapy) increased significantly with increasing blood pressure in both sex (p < 0.001). The same trend was found for prevalence of obesity (BMI (30 kg/m2) in both sex (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this population with a high prevalence of hypertension, we showed that hypercholesterolemia and obesity increased significantly with increasing blood pressure. We also showed that caring for high blood pressure should be part of a global caring of the patient looking for other cardiovascular risk factors.

[Skin disease and HIV infection among inmates in Lomé, Togo: a study of 194 prisoners]. / Pathologie cutanée et infection à VIH chez les détenus à Lomé, Togo: étude de 194 cas.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of skin diseases among inmates in Lomé (Togo) and its relation to their HIV status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study took place from November 14 to December 5, 2011, in the civil prison of Lomé and included prisoners who agreed to have an HIV screening test. RESULTS: In all, 194 prisoners, all men (median age: 29 years), were examined during the study period. The group aged younger than 30 years accounted for 51% of the population. Overall, 166 (85.6%) of the 194 prisoners examined had cutaneous lesions; 153 reported that these had developed after their imprisonment. HIV serology was positive in 21 (10.8%) of the 194 prisoners tested. The most common cutaneous diseases were pruritus (n = 62), fungal infections (n = 45), boils (n = 26), eczema (n = 21), and scabies (n = 20). The frequency of skin disorders did not differ significantly between HIV-infected prisoners and those who were not infected (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows a potential for high prevalence of HIV infection and an existing high prevalence of infectious dermatosis among these prisoners. It is essential to reduce the overpopulation and crowding in prisons to decrease the prevalence of these skin disorders.

[Accessibility of early infant diagnosis of HIV infection in Lome (Togo)]. / Accessibilité au diagnostic précoce de l'infection à VIH chez les enfants à risque de Lomé (Togo).

BACKGROUND: Early infant diagnosis of HIV is the key step for the early initiation of HAART among HIV-exposed children. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of children born to mothers infected with HIV who completed the early infant HIV diagnosis process and the factors associated with this complete process. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Tokoin University Hospital in the pediatrics ward. This study included all HIV-exposed children born between July 2009 and June 2011. The association between the mother's, spouse's, and child's characteristics as well as access to early HIV diagnosis by PCR (blood collection and reporting of results before the 6months of age) was studied using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 455 HIV-exposed children were included: for 52.7%, the first test was PCR, 99 of them received their results, 59 of whom received their results before the 6th month of life (undergoing the complete process). In multivariate analysis, the only factor associated with the complete process of early HIV diagnosis was the maternal age≥28years (adjusted odds ratio, 1.75, 95% CI [1.18-2.76]). CONCLUSION: The availability of early infant PCR diagnosis remains a challenge and innovative strategies must be implemented.

HIV seroprevalence among inmates in Togo.

BACKGROUND: There is no data on HIV seroprevalence among prisoners in Togo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners in Togo from November 2011 to January 2012. The study population was included by selecting the most densely populated prison in each of the six Togo regions, and by including prisoners (at least18years of age and having been in prison for more than 30days) on a voluntary basis. HIV prevalence was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: One thousand three hundred and fourty-two prisoners were included in the study. Their median age was 28years, (IQR 25-33years) and 39 (2.9%) were women. The median time spent in the prison was 10months, interquartile range [4-24months]. HIV testing was accepted by 96.0%. HIV seroprevalence in prisons was 4.3%, 95 CI% [3.2-5.5%]. Few prisoners (2.9%) reported having had sex in prisons. The only factor associated with HIV infection was gender with an HIV seroprevalence of 14.3% for women compared to 4.0% for men (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: The prevention and the management of HIV infection should be a priority in Togolese prisons. This requires implementing healthcare facilities in prisons.