BACKGROUNDMen who have sex with men (MSM) are a population at risk for HIV acquisition and transmission and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In Burkina Faso, the prevalence of HIV among ...MSM is higher than that of other reproductive-aged adults. Early and frequent STI testing and treatment can help prevent HIV acquisition and transmission and may improve linkage to care.
METHODSA cross-sectional study used respondent-driven sampling of MSM in the urban centers of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, to complete a questionnaire and HIV and syphilis testing. The binary-dependent variable in these analyses was self-reported prior STI testing in the past 12 months. Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and psychosocial factors, selected according to the modified social ecological model. Bivariate associations at the P < 0.05 level were used to create a manual forward stepwise multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTSSeventy-six percent of participants (511/672) did not test for STIs in the last 12 months. Testing for STIs was associated with STI symptoms (odds ratio OR, 2.56; 95% confidence interval 95% CI, 1.39–4.76) and independently associated with depressive symptoms (adjusted OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01–2.20) and discussing HIV and STIs with main male partners (adjusted OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23–1.76).
CONCLUSIONSThese data suggest that periodic targeted STI screening for MSM in Burkina Faso may represent an important component of comprehensive HIV prevention programming. The relationship between depression and STI risks is well established, and these data further indicate that screening for depression may be warranted during these clinical encounters.
IntroductionHIV infection and pregnancy are both common among female sex workers (FSW), indicating the need for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) among FSW.MethodsFSW were enrolled ...into studies in Swaziland, Burkina Faso and Togo using respondent-driven sampling. Women completed interview-administered socio-behavioural surveys and HIV counselling and testing. This secondary analysis describes contraceptive use and attempted pregnancy among reproductive-aged FSW (16–49 years). Robust Poisson regression with generalised estimating equations to account for clustering within recruitment networks was used to separately estimate associations between current unmet contraceptive need and attempted pregnancy among FSW.ResultsOverall 1666 FSW were enrolled, 1372 (82.4%) of whom had ever been pregnant. In Togo and Burkina Faso, 83 FSW reported a prior HIV diagnosis and having a child, of which 12.1% (10/83) reported a child known to be HIV-positive. Twenty-five per cent of FSW had an unmet need for contraception; 9% of FSW employed dual contraception, including highly effective non-barrier methods and consistent condom use. Consistent condom use varied substantially by partner type and was higher with clients than non-paying partners. Nineteen per cent (n=313/1666) of FSW were trying to conceive. HIV-positive, undiagnosed FSW were more likely to be trying to conceive as compared to HIV-negative FSW; among 98 HIV-positive women trying to conceive, 25.5% were on antiretroviral therapy.ConclusionsFSW have varying reproductive goals and contraceptive usage. Efforts to improve coverage of comprehensive family planning – including efforts to increase HIV testing and engagement in treatment among FSW trying to conceive – are necessary for PMTCT.
Zidovudine reduces the rate of vertical transmission of HIV in non-breastfed populations. We assessed the acceptability, tolerance, and 6-month efficacy of a short regimen of oral zidovudine in ...African populations practising breastfeeding.
A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out in public clinics of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Eligible participants were women aged 18 years or older, who had confirmed HIV-1 infection and pregnancy of 36–38 weeks duration, and who gave written informed consent. Exclusion criteria were severe anaemia, neutropenia, abnormal liver function, and sickle-cell disease. Women were randomly assigned zidovudine (n=214; 300 mg twice daily until labour, 600 mg at beginning of labour, and 300 mg twice daily for 7 days post partum) or matching placebo (n=217). The primary outcome was the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in the infant on the basis of sequential DNA PCR tests at days 1–8, 45, 90, and 180. We compared the probability of infection at a given age in the two groups. Analyses were by intention to treat.
Women were enrolled between September, 1995, and February, 1998, when enrolment to the placebo group was stopped. Analysis was based on 421 women and 400 lifeborn infants. Baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were similar in the two groups. The Kaplan-Meier probability of HIV infection in the infant at 6 months was 18·0% in the zidovudine group (n=192) and 27·5% in the placebo group (n=197; relative efficacy 0·38 95% CI 0·05-0·60; p=0·027). Adjustment for centre, period of recruitment, mode of delivery, maternal CD4-cell count, duration of labour, prolonged rupture of membranes, and duration of breastfeeding did not change the treatment effect. The proportions of women taking more than 80% of the planned maximum dose were 75% before delivery, 81% during labour, and 83% post partum, without statistical difference between the groups. No major adverse biological or clinical event was reported in excess among women and children of the zidovudine group.
A short course of oral zidovudine given during the peripartum period is well accepted and well tolerated, and provides a 38% reduction in early vertical transmission of HIV-1 infection despite breastfeeding.
Background. Antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis effectively reduces mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV). However, it is unclear whether stopping ARVs after ...breastfeeding cessation affects maternal HIV disease progression. We assessed 18-24-month postpartum disease progression risk among women in a randomized trial assessing efficacy and safety of prophylactic maternal ARVs. Methods. From 2005 to 2008, HIV—infected pregnant women with CD4 + counts of 200-500/mm 3 were randomized to receive either triple ARV (zidovudine, lamivudine, and lopinavir/ritonavir during pregnancy and breastfeeding) or AZT/sdNVP (zidovudine until delivery with single-dose nevirapine without postpartum prophylaxis). Maternal disease progression was defined as the combined endpoint of death, World Health Organization clinical stage 4 disease, or CD4 + counts of <200/mm 3 . Results. Among 824 randomized women, 789 had at least 1 study visit after cessation of ARV prophylaxis. Following delivery, progression risk up to 24 months postpartum in the triple ARV arm was significantly lower than in the AZT/sdNVP arm (15.7% vs 28.3%; P = .001), but the risks of progression after cessation of ARV prophylaxis (rather than after delivery) were not different (15.0% vs 13.8% 18 months after ARV cessation). Among women with CD4 + counts of 200-349/mm 3 at enrollment, 24.0% (95% confidence interval CI, 15.7-35.5) progressed with triple ARV, and 23.0% (95% CI, 17.8-29.5) progressed with AZT/sdNVP, whereas few women in either arm (<5%) with initial CD4 + counts of ≥350/mm 3 progressed. Conclusions. Interrupting prolonged triple ARV prophylaxis had no effect on HIV progression following cessation (compared with AZT/sdNVP). However, women on triple ARV prophylaxis had lower progression risk during the time on triple ARV. Given the high rate of progression among women with CD4 + cells of <350/mm 3 , ARVs should not be discontinued in this group. Clinical Trials Registration. ISRCTN71468410.
Recent efforts to curtail the HIV epidemic in Africa have emphasised preventing sexual transmission to partners through antiretroviral therapy. A component of current strategies is disclosure to ...partners, thus understanding its motivations will help maximise results. This study examines the rates, dynamics and consequences of partner disclosure in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi and Uganda, with special attention to the role of support groups and stigma in disclosure.
The study employs mixed methods, including a cross-sectional client survey of counselling and testing services, focus groups, and in-depth interviews with HIV-positive individuals in stable partnerships in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi and Uganda, recruited at healthcare facilities offering HIV testing.
Rates of disclosure to partners varied between countries (32.7% - 92.7%). The lowest rate was reported in Malawi. Reasons for disclosure included preventing the transmission of HIV, the need for care, and upholding the integrity of the relationship. Fear of stigma was an important reason for non-disclosure. Women reported experiencing more negative reactions when disclosing to partners. Disclosure was positively associated with living in urban areas, higher education levels, and being male, while being negatively associated with membership to support groups.
Understanding of reasons for disclosure and recognition of the role of support groups in the process can help improve current prevention efforts, that increasingly focus on treatment as prevention as a way to halt new infections. Support groups can help spread secondary prevention messages, by explaining to their members that antiretroviral treatment has benefits for HIV positive individuals and their partners. Home-based testing can further facilitate partner disclosure, as couples can test together and be counselled jointly.
The 2016 World Health Organization guidelines recommend all children <3 years start antiretroviral therapy (ART) on protease inhibitor-based regimens. But lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) syrup has many ...challenges in low-income countries, including limited availability, requires refrigeration, interactions with anti-tuberculous drugs, twice-daily dosing, poor palatability in young children, and higher cost than non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drugs. Successfully initiating LPV/r-based ART in HIV-infected children aged <2 years raises operational challenges that could be simplified by switching to a protease inhibitor-sparing therapy based on efavirenz (EFV), although, to date, EFV is not recommended in children <3 years.
The MONOD ANRS 12026 study is a phase 3 non-inferiority open-label randomised clinical trial conducted in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (ClinicalTrial.gov registry: NCT01127204). HIV-1-infected children who were tuberculosis-free and treated before the age of 2 years with 12-15 months of suppressive twice-daily LPV/r-based ART (HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) <500 copies/mL, confirmed) were randomised to two arms: once-daily combination of abacavir (ABC) + lamivudine (3TC) + EFV (referred to as EFV) versus continuation of the twice-daily combination zidovudine (ZDV) or ABC + 3TC + LPV/r (referred to as LPV). The primary endpoint was the difference in the proportion of children with virological suppression by 12 months post-randomisation between arms (14% non-inferiority bound, Chi-squared test).
Between May 2011 and January 2013, 156 children (median age 13.7 months) were initiated on ART. After 12-15 months on ART, 106 (68%) were randomised to one of the two treatment arms (54 LPV, 52 EFV); 97 (91%) were aged <3 years. At 12 months post-randomisation, 46 children (85.2%) from LPV versus 43 (82.7%) from EFV showed virological suppression (defined as a VL <500 copies/mL; difference, 2.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI), -11.5 to 16.5), whereas seven (13%) in LPV and seven (13.5%) in EFV were classed as having virological failure (secondary outcome, defined as a VL ≥1000 copies/mL; difference, 0.5%; 95% CI, -13.4 to 12.4). No significant differences in adverse events were observed, with two adverse events in LPV (3.7%) versus four (7.7%) in EFV (p = 0.43). On genotyping, 13 out of 14 children with virological failure (six out of seven EFV, seven out of seven LPV) had a drug-resistance mutation: nine (five out of six EFV, four out of seven LPV) had one or more major NNRTI-resistance mutations whereas none had an LPV/r-resistance mutation.
At the VL threshold of 500 copies/mL, we could not conclusively demonstrate the non-inferiority of EFV on viral suppression compared to LPV because of low statistical power. However, non-inferiority was confirmed for a VL threshold of <1000 copies/mL. Resistance analyses highlighted a high frequency of NNRTI-resistance mutations. A switch to an EFV-based regimen as a simplification strategy around the age of 3 years needs to be closely monitored.
ClinicalTrial.gov registry n° NCT01127204 , 19 May 2010.
Background:
In West Africa, female sex workers are at increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. HIV self-testing could be an effective tool to improve access to and frequency of HIV testing ...to female sex workers, their clients and partners. This article explores their perceptions regarding HIV self-testing use and the redistribution of HIV self-testing kits to their partners and clients.
Methods:
Embedded within ATLAS, a qualitative study was conducted in Côte-d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal in 2020. Nine focus group discussions were conducted. A thematic analysis was performed.
Results:
A total of 87 participants expressed both positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing and their willingness to use or reuse HIV self-testing. HIV self-testing was perceived to be discreet, confidential, and convenient. HIV self-testing provides autonomy from testing by providers and reduces stigma. Some perceived HIV self-testing as a valuable tool for testing their clients who are willing to offer a premium for condomless sex. While highlighting some potential issues, overall, female sex workers were optimistic about linkage to confirmatory testing following a reactive HIV self-testing. Female sex workers expressed positive attitudes toward secondary distribution to their partners and clients, although it depended on relationship types. They seemed more enthusiastic about secondary distribution to their regular/emotional partners and regular clients with whom they had difficulty using condoms, and whom they knew enough to discuss HIV self-testing. However, they expressed that it could be more difficult with casual clients; the duration of the interaction being too short to discuss HIV self-testing, and they fear violence and/or losing them.
Conclusion:
Overall, female sex workers have positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing use and are willing to redistribute to their regular partners and clients. However, they are reluctant to promote such use with their casual clients. HIV self-testing can improve access to HIV testing for female sex workers and the members of their sexual and social network.
Background Recommendations about scaling up HIV testing and counseling highlight the need to provide key services and to protect clients' rights, but it is unclear to what extent different modes of ...testing differ in this respect. This paper examines whether practices regarding consent, confidentiality, and referral vary depending on whether testing is provided through voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) or provider-initiated testing. Methods and Findings The MATCH (Multi-Country African Testing and Counseling for HIV) study was carried out in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda. Surveys were conducted at selected facilities. We defined eight outcome measures related to pre- and post-test counseling, consent, confidentiality, satisfactory interactions with providers, and (for HIV-positive respondents) referral for care. These were compared across three types of facilities: integrated facilities, where testing is provided along with medical care; stand-alone VCT facilities; and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) facilities, where testing is part of PMTCT services. Tests of bivariate associations and modified Poisson regression were used to assess significance and estimate the unadjusted and adjusted associations between modes of testing and outcome measures. In total, 2,116 respondents tested in 2007 or later reported on their testing experience. High percentages of clients across countries and modes of testing reported receiving recommended services and being satisfied. In the unadjusted analyses, integrated testers were less likely to meet with a counselor before testing (83% compared with 95% of VCT testers; p<0.001), but those who had a pre-test meeting were more likely to have completed consent procedures (89% compared with 83% among VCT testers; p<0.001) and pre-test counseling (78% compared with 73% among VCT testers; p = 0.015). Both integrated and PMTCT testers were more likely to receive complete post-test counseling than were VCT testers (59% among both PMTCT and integrated testers compared with 36% among VCT testers; p<0.001). Adjusted analyses by country show few significant differences by mode of testing: only lower satisfaction among integrated testers in Burkina Faso and Uganda, and lower frequency of referral among PMTCT testers in Malawi. Adjusted analyses of pooled data across countries show a higher likelihood of pre-test meeting for those testing at VCT facilities (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.38) and higher satisfaction for stand-alone VCT facilities (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.06-1.25), compared to integrated testing, but no other associations were statistically significant. Conclusions Overall, in this study most respondents reported favorable outcomes for consent, confidentiality, and referral. Provider-initiated ways of delivering testing and counseling do not appear to be associated with less favorable outcomes for clients than traditional, client-initiated VCT, suggesting that testing can be scaled up through multiple modes without detriment to clients' rights. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary
Introduction. Des traitements efficaces permettent la prise en charge des personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH) et la prévention. Cependant, seulement 55% des PVVIH connaissent leur statut et ce taux ...est encore plus faible pour les pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre (35%). Afin d’accroître l’offre de Conseil et Test pour le VIH (CTV), l’OMS a publié en juillet 2015 un guide consolidé basé sur des études, dont certaines ont été réalisées en Afrique Subsaharienne. Et très peu d’entre elles concernent les pays à faible prévalence du VIH, notamment l’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone. Cette thèse a pour objectif général d’analyser les enjeux et les limites des politiques et programmes de CTV dans les pays africains de basse prévalence VIH, à partir de la situation du Burkina Faso, et de proposer de nouvelles mesures pour développer l’offre de CTV.Méthodes. Deux études ont été conduites. La première portait sur les motivations et les obstacles à la pratique du test VIH. Elle a été menée dans le cadre du projet « Multi-country African Testing and Counselling for HIV » (MATCH) portant sur quatre pays (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Ouganda). Au Burkina Faso, l’étude a été conduite en 2008-2009 en milieu urbain (Ouagadougou) et rural (Dédougou) dans des sites sélectionnés selon leur niveau de fréquentation. Des approches quantitatives et qualitatives ont été utilisées.La deuxième étude a été conduite en 2015 auprès des acteurs et des décideurs du CTV au niveau national, et visait à analyser leurs perceptions des directives publiées par l’OMS en 2015. Un outil de collecte des données expliquant les changements a diffusé par voie électronique. Les réponses ont été analysées de manière quantitative et qualitative.Résultats. L’offre du CTV est basée au Burkina Faso sur des documents validés en 2008.L’analyse de l’utilisation du test à l’initiative du client a montré que les femmes étaient les plus nombreuses (58,5%). Cependant les hommes (p=0,02), les 18-34 ans (p=0,01), et les plus scolarisés (p=0,001) semblaient utiliser plus précocement les services.. En analyse multivariée, ces catégories utilisaient plus les campagnes. Les signes ou symptômes liés au VIH motivaient le test chez les femmes (p=0,008), les 35 ans et plus (p<0,001) et les non scolarisés (p<0,001) qui sollicitaient plus le test en sites fixes. L’utilisation du CTV pendant la campagne était associée au désir de connaître le statut (p<0,001), tandis qu’en dehors des campagnes, l'état de santé de l’utilisateur, la maladie ou le décès du partenaire était le principal motif (p=0,001). Aussi 61% des utilisateurs avaient réalisé 2 tests et plus. Dans une analyse multivariée, l’utilisation répétée du CTV par les personnes séronégatives était associée à la scolarisation (au moins le secondaire), au jeune âge et pour les PVVIH à la résidence en milieu urbain.Les prestataires déclaraient être confrontés à des difficultés logistiques et matérielles pour offrir adéquatement le CTV. Il en résultait une faible qualité des services, notamment un conseil post test dispensé partiellement, et une faible référence des PVVIH. Celles-ci avaient un vécu de stigmatisation élevé, soit 46% de stigmatisation interne, 40% dans les relations interpersonnelles et 11% dans les services de santé. Les décideurs et acteurs ont trouvé la plupart des directives de 2015 pertinentes, mais sont pessimistes sur leur faisabilité.Conclusion. Ce travail a identifié les limites du CTV au Burkina Faso et donne des éléments significatifs pour les pays africains de basse prévalence. Dans un contexte de raréfaction des ressources, l’accès équitable au CTV nécessite l’identification de stratégies innovantes. Le renforcement des capacités des prestataires pour une offre globale de services de qualité est nécessaire. La lutte contre la stigmatisation devrait être intensifiée. La prise en compte des avis des experts permettra la révision des documents nationaux et leur adaptation selon les directives OMS.
Background. Treatments are effective for people living with HIVAIDS (PLWHA) care and prevention. However, only 55% of PLWHA are aware of their status. This rate is lower in Central and West Africa (35%). In July 2015, WHO published new guidelines on HIV testing. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are many studies which results are used to define policies and guidelines on HIV testing at the international level. Few of them are implemented in low HIV prevalence countries, notably French-Speaking West Africa. The overall objective of this thesis is to analyze the challenges and limitations of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) policies and programs in low prevalence countries, over the situation in Burkina Faso and propose new measures to increase the access to HTC services.Methods. Two studies have been conducted. The first one was carried out in the « Multi-country African Testing and Counselling for HIV » (MATCH) project which was implemented in four countries (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda). It aimed to analyze the motivations and barriers to HTC services practices by users, non-users and providers. In Burkina Faso, the study was carried out in Urban (Ouagadougou) and rural (Dédougou) areas in 2008-2009. In each locality, study sites (client initiated testing and provider initiated testing sites) were chosen, given the level of utilization. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The second study was conducted in 2015, with HTC providers and decision makers at national level. The objective was to analyze their perceptions on WHO 2015 guidelines. A data collection tool explaining the changes introduced in the guidelines has been designed and transmitted via electronic means. Their opinions were analyzed.Results. Guidelines for HTC in Burkina Faso were from 2008. In client initiated testing sites, there were more women (58.5%). However, men (p=0.02), 18-34 years old (p=0.01), and the more educated ones (p=0.001) appeared to have used early services. In multivariate analysis, those categories used often campaigns. Women (p=0.008), 35 years of age and over (p<0.001) and less educated people (p<0.001) sought more often the test in fixed sites. The use of HTC services during campaigns is associated with the desire to know one's HIV status (p<0.01), while outside of campaigns, the health status of the user, the illness or the partner's death was the main concern (p=0.001). Campaigns are associated with the hope of knowing one’s HIV status (p<0.001). There were 61% of users who were repeat testers (2 or more tests). In a multivariate analysis, repeat testing for HIV negative people was associated with higher education, young age and for PLWHA living in urban areas. HTC Providers declared that they faced logistic and material challenges. It resulted in a low quality of services, in particular post-test counselling sessions that were partially done and a low effective reference of PLWHA towards care services. HIV stigma was found to be very high (46% of PLWHA faced internal stigma, 40% of interpersonal stigma, and 11% in health services). Decision-makers and providers have found most of the 2015 guidelines relevant, but were pessimist about their feasibility.Conclusion. This work has identified limitations of HTC at the individual, community, health services and institutional levels in Burkina Faso, and provides significant elements for African low prevalence countries. Given the scarcity of resources, there is a need for innovative strategies for equitable access to HTC, in order to attract more men, and test earlier women, less educated and 34 years or older. Strengthening the capacity of service providers to include a comprehensive range of quality services is necessary. All the aforementioned should be supplemented by the fight against stigma. Paying attention to national HTC experts’ opinion will help for national guidelines review and adapt them to WHO guidelines.
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