QSIRS Can Improve Accuracy of QSOFA and SIRS in Prediction of Mortality in Surgical Emergencies.

Background The quick sequential organ failure assessment (QSOFA) score and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria were developed to predict the risk of sepsis and death in patients received in emergency. To improve sensitivity in predicting death, the association of the two scores was proposed under the term QSIRS (QSOFA + SIRS). Our aim was to determine the accuracy of QSOFA, SIRS, and QSIRS in prediction of mortality in surgical emergencies, and to compare these scores. Patients and Methods This is a prospective study over a period of 1 year. Patients older than 15 years who presented a digestive surgical emergency (bowel obstruction, peritonitis, appendicitis, strangulated hernia) were included. For each score, the specificity, the sensitivity, the positive predictive value, the negative predictive value, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were compared. Results One hundred and eighteen patients were included and 11 deaths were recorded (9.3%). There was a statistically significant relationship between each score and death (QSOFA p = 0.01, SIRS p = 0.003, and QSIRS p = 0.004). The realization of the ROC curve found a higher AUC for QSIRS (0.845 [0.767-0.905]) compared with QSOFA (0.783 [0.698-0.854]) and SIRS (0.737 [0.648-0.813]). QSIRS (90.9%) had a higher sensitivity compared with the two other scores alone (SIRS = 81.9% and QSOFA = 36.3%). Conclusion Our study found that QSIRS improves the ability to predict death in digestive surgical emergencies.

Use and Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing Among First-Time Testers at Risk for HIV in Senegal.

HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) aims to increase HIV testing coverage and can facilitate reaching the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. In Senegal, key populations bear a disproportionate burden of HIV and report limited uptake of HIV testing given pervasive stigma and criminalization. In these contexts, HIVST may represent a complementary approach to reach populations reporting barriers to engagement with existing and routine HIV testing services. In this study, 1839 HIVST kits were distributed in Senegal, with 1149 individuals participating in a pre-test questionnaire and 817 participating in a post-test questionnaire. Overall, 46.9% (536/1144) were first-time testers and 26.2% (300/1144) had tested within the last year; 94.3% (768/814) reported using the HIVST, and 2.9% (19/651) reported a reactive result which was associated with first-time testers (p = 0.024). HIVST represents an approach that reached first-time testers and those who had not tested recently. Implementation indicators suggest the importance of leveraging existing community structures and programs for distribution.

Physical and Sexual Violence Affecting Female Sex Workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Prevalence, and the Relationship with the Work Environment, HIV, and Access to Health Services.

BACKGROUND: Violence is a human rights violation, and an important measure in understanding HIV among female sex workers (FSW). However, limited data exist regarding correlates of violence among FSW in Côte d'Ivoire. Characterizing prevalence and determinants of violence and the relationship with structural risks for HIV can inform development and implementation of comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programs. METHODS: FSW > 18 years were recruited through respondent driven sampling (RDS) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. In total, 466 participants completed a socio-behavioral questionnaire and HIV testing. Prevalence estimates of violence were calculated using crude and RDS-adjusted estimates. Relationships between structural risk factors and violence were analyzed using χ tests and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical violence was 53.6% (250/466), and sexual violence was 43.2% (201/465) among FSW in this study. Police refusal of protection was associated with physical (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7 to 4.4) and sexual violence (aOR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.9 to 4.8). Blackmail was associated with physical (aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.2) and sexual violence (aOR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.0). Physical violence was associated with fear (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3 to 3.1) and avoidance of seeking health services (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5 to 3.8). CONCLUSIONS: Violence is prevalent among FSW in Abidjan and associated with features of the work environment and access to care. These relationships highlight layers of rights violations affecting FSW, underscoring the need for structural interventions and policy reforms to improve work environments, and to address police harassment, stigma, and rights violations to reduce violence and improve access to HIV interventions.

A pilot cohort study to assess the feasibility of HIV prevention science research among men who have sex with men in Dakar, Senegal.

INTRODUCTION: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately burdened by HIV in Senegal, across sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the world. This is driven in part by stigma, and limits health achievements and social capital among these populations. To date, there is a limited understanding of the feasibility of prospective HIV prevention studies among MSM in Senegal, including HIV incidence and cohort retention rates. METHODS: One hundred and nineteen men who reported having anal sex with another man in the past 12 months were randomly selected from a sampling frame of 450 unique members of community groups serving MSM in Dakar. These men were enrolled in a 15-month pilot cohort study implemented by a community-based partner. The study included a structured survey instrument and biological testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus at two time points. RESULTS: Baseline HIV prevalence was 36.0% (43/114), with cumulative HIV prevalence at study end being 47.2% (51/108). The annualized incidence rate was 16% (8/40 at risk for seroconversion over 15 months of follow-up, 95% confidence interval 4.6-27.4%). Thirty-seven men were lost to follow up, including at least four deaths. Men who were able to confide in someone about health, emotional distress and sex were less likely to be HIV positive (OR 0.36, p < 0.05, 95% CI 0.13, 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: High HIV prevalence and incidence, as well as mortality in this young population of Senegalese MSM indicate a public health emergency. Moreover, given the high burden of HIV and rate of incident HIV infections, this population appears to be appropriate for the evaluation of novel HIV prevention, treatment and care approaches. Using a study implemented by community-based organizations, there appears to be feasibility in implementing interventions addressing the multiple levels of HIV risk among MSM in this setting. However, low retention across arms of this pilot intervention, and in the cohort, will need to be addressed for larger-scale efficacy trials to be feasible.