HIV disclosure and unsafe sex among HIV-infected women in Cameroon: results from the ANRS-EVAL study.

Encouraging seropositive people to voluntarily disclose their serostatus has been promoted as a key component of HIV prevention. Among other reasons, HIV disclosure to one's main partner is believed to be an incentive for serodiscordant couples to practice safe sex. The present article investigated this issue by conducting a cross-sectional survey of a large sample of HIV-infected women attending HIV care centers in Cameroon (N=1014).

Financial barriers to HIV treatment in Yaoundé, Cameroon: first results of a national cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To assess the extent to which user fees for antiretroviral therapy (ART) represent a financial barrier to access to ART among HIV-positive patients in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methods: Sociodemographic, economic and clinical data were collected from a random sample of 707 HIV-positive patients followed up in six public hospitals of the capital city (Yaoundé) and its surroundings through face-to-face interviews carried out by trained interviewers independently from medical staff and medical questionnaires filled out by prescribing physicians. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with self-reported financial difficulties in purchasing ART during the previous 3 months.

Decentralization of HIV care in Cameroon: increased access to antiretroviral treatment and associated persistent barriers.

Context: The national antiretroviral treatment (ART) program in Cameroon has reached one of the highest rate of coverage in Western and Central Africa (58% of the estimated eligible HIV-infected population in June 2008).

Objectives: To assess the extent to which decentralized delivery of HIV care at the district level has contributed to increased access to ART.

Methods: Comparison of ART-treated and non-ART-treated in the sub-sample of medically eligible HIV-positive patients (n=2566) in the cross-sectional ANRS-EVAL survey was carried out among patients seeking HIV care in 14 hospitals at central level (Yaoundé, Douala and capitals of 8 provinces) and 13 at district levels.

Determinants of unplanned antiretroviral treatment interruptions among people living with HIV in Yaoundé, Cameroon (EVAL survey, ANRS 12-116).

Objective: To identify correlates of self-reported antiretroviral therapies (ART) interruptions among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Cameroon.

Methods: Analyses were based on data collected in the national survey EVAL (ANRS 12-116) among 533 ART-treated PLWHA in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, and its neighbourhood. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with self-reported ART interruptions longer than two consecutive days during the previous 4 weeks.

Adolescent sexuality and the HIV epidemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Adolescents are the focus of many interventions that aim to prevent HIV transmission. In order for these interventions to be effective, it is essential to understand adolescents' sexual behaviour. Using data collected in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in 1997, the study analysed risk exposure and HIV prevalence among 426 men and 510 women aged 15-24.

Mobility, sexual behavior, and HIV infection in an urban population in Cameroon.

Several studies, notably from rural areas, have shown an association between mobility and HIV infection. However, reasons for this association are poorly documented. In this study, we examined the relationship between mobility, sexual behavior, and HIV infection in an urban population of Cameroon.

Commercial sex and the spread of HIV in four cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: To examine whether commercial sex transactions were more common and/or transmission between sex workers and clients more efficient in two African cities with high HIV prevalence (Kisumu, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia) compared with two with relatively low HIV prevalence (Cotonou, Benin and Yaoundé, Cameroon).

Methods: Data on sexual behaviour, HIV and sexually transmitted infections were collected from representative samples of around 300 female sex workers in each city. Sexual behaviour data from a population-based study of around 1000 men aged 15-49 in each city were used to estimate the extent of contact with sex workers.

Multicentre study on factors determining differences in rate of spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: methods and prevalence of HIV infection.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore whether the differences in rate of spread of HIV in different regions in sub-Saharan Africa could be explained by differences in sexual behaviour and/or factors influencing the probability of HIV transmission during sexual intercourse.

Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in two cities with a high HIV prevalence (Kisumu in Kenya and Ndola in Zambia) and two cities with a relatively low HIV prevalence (Cotonou in Benin and Yaoundé in Cameroon). In each of these cities, approximately 1000 men and 1000 women, aged 15-49 years, were randomly selected from the general population.

Educational level is associated with condom use within non-spousal partnerships in four cities of sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Rates of condom use in sub-Saharan Africa have remained too low to curb HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD) epidemics. A better understanding of the main determinants of condom use would aid promotion.

Methods: Cross-sectional population surveys were conducted in four cities in sub-Saharan Africa: Yaoundé, Cameroon; Cotonou, Benin; Ndola, Zambia; and Kisumu, Kenya.