Impact of switching to a dolutegravir-based regimen on body weight changes: insights from West African adult HIV cohorts.

Introduction: Adverse metabolic effects related to dolutegravir (DTG) are increasingly reported as countries are adopting DTG-based regimens as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART), but there is limited data from sub-Saharan Africa. We explored changes in body weight pre- and post-switch to a DTG-based regimen and assessed the association between DTG switch and significant weight gain (SWG) defined as a ≥10% increase over a 12-month period in people living with HIV (PLHIV) on ART in West Africa.

Methods: We first included all PLHIV followed in the IeDEA West Africa cohorts between January 2017 and June 2021, with a documented switch to DTG during 2019-2021 and in care ≥36 months at the day of switch.

The Safety, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Single-Dose Rifampicin as Post-Exposure Chemoprophylaxis for Contacts of Leprosy Patients in Togo: A Mixed-Method Sequential Explanatory Study.

The World Health Organization is encouraging countries to include contact screening and single-dose rifampicin administration as preventive chemotherapy for contacts of leprosy patients in their leprosy control activities. However, no study has been conducted to assess the safety of SDR-PEP and the acceptability and feasibility of this intervention in Togo. To assess the safety of SDR-PEP, we used a cohort design, and for acceptability and feasibility, we used a mixed method, combining a quantitative study to assess the safety of SDR-PEP in a cohort of contacts from recently diagnosed leprosy patients followed by a qualitative study to identify the social, cultural, or institutional factors that would influence the adoption of single-dose rifampicin as post-exposure prophylaxis for contacts of leprosy patients in Togo.

Gynecological health care services utilization and violence among female sex workers in Togo in 2021.

Background: Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Sub Saharan Africa face multiple challenges increasing their vulnerability to poor health, particularly poor sexual and reproductive (SRH) health outcomes and violence. The aim of this study was to assess the use of gynecology health care services and factors associated with its use as well as experiences of violence among FSW in Togo.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2021 among FSW in two cities of Togo.

Global trends in CD4 count measurement and distribution at first antiretroviral treatment initiation.

Background: While people with HIV (PWH) start antiretroviral treatment (ART) regardless of CD4 count, CD4 measurement remains crucial for detecting advanced HIV disease and evaluating ART programmes. We explored CD4 measurement (proportion of PWH with a CD4 result available) and prevalence of CD4 <200 cells/µL at ART initiation within the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) global collaboration.

Methods: We included PWH at participating ART programmes who first initiated ART at age 15-80 years during 2005-2019.

HIV self-testing: A highly acceptable and feasible strategy for reconnecting street adolescents with HIV screening and prevention services in Togo (The STADOS study).

Introduction: HIV self-testing is a complementary screening strategy that could facilitate access to HIV care services for street adolescents. The objectives of this study were to assess the acceptability and feasibility of HIV self-testing and their associated factors, to estimate HIV prevalence among street adolescents in Togo, and to describe the sexual behavior of this population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2021 and May 2022 in Lomé and Kara (Togolese cities with the highest number of street adolescents).

Street adolescents in low income setting exposed to hepatitis B and C, and disadvantaged by lifestyle: a Togolese cross-sectional study.

Background: In Togo, few data are available on viral hepatitis in street adolescents, a vulnerable population due to their lifestyle. The aim of this study was to describe the lifestyle of street adolescents (sexual practices and drug use), to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, and to describe their HBV immunization profile in Togo.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lomé (Togo) in July 2021.

Any resurgence of leprosy cases in the Togo's post-elimination period? Trend analysis of reported leprosy cases from 2010 to 2022.

Background: Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Togo achieved the target of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem in 2000 (less than 1 case/10 000 population). However, new cases of leprosy are still being reported.

Epidemiology of alcohol use disorder in the general population of Togo and Benin: the ALCOTRANS study.

Introduction: Access to data concerning mental health, particularly alcohol use disorders (AUD), in sub-Saharan Africa is very limited. This study aimed to estimate AUD prevalence and identify the associated factors in Togo and Benin.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2022, targeting individuals aged 18 years and above in the Yoto commune of Togo and the Lalo commune of Benin.

Pharmaco-virological outcomes and genotypic resistance profiles among children and adolescents receiving a DTG-based regimen in Togo.

Background: Few data are available on the real-world efficacy of receiving tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (DTG) as HIV treatment, particularly among young people in West Africa. Here, we evaluated pharmaco-virological outcomes and resistance profiles among Togolese children and adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lomé, Togo, enrolling antiretroviral-treated people with HIV aged from 18 months to 24 years.

Efficacy and safety of three antiretroviral therapy regimens for treatment-naive African adults living with HIV-2 (FIT-2): a pilot, phase 2, non-comparative, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Due to the low number of individuals with HIV-2, no randomised trials of HIV-2 treatment have ever been done. We hypothesised that a non-comparative study describing the outcomes of several antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens in parallel groups would improve understanding of how differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2 might lead to different therapeutic approaches.

Methods: This pilot, phase 2, non-comparative, open-label, randomised controlled trial was done in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo.

Factors Associated With Precancerous Cervical Lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Togo.

Background: The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in developing countries, like Togo. Precancerous lesions include all cellular abnormalities that have malignant potential that can develop into cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with precancerous cervical lesions in HIV-infected women in our context.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on ART Initiation and Access to HIV Viral Load Monitoring in Adults Living With HIV in West Africa: A Regression Discontinuity Analysis.

Objectives: Efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic have potentially compromised the availability and/or quality of HIV services. We aimed to assess the pandemic's impact on antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and HIV viral load (VL) monitoring in 3 West African countries.

Methods: We used routinely collected data from 5 clinics contributing to the International epidemiologic Database to Evaluate AIDS collaboration in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria.

Epidemiology of Non-Traumatic Lower Extremities Amputations in West Africa: Nationwide Data from Togo.

Objective: Non-traumatic lower limb amputation (NT-LLA) has consequences at individual and public health levels. Population based studies in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce and often related to single centre series. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of NT-LLA (minor and major) and to describe epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic aspects in Togo.

Identifying determinants of under-five child mortality in northern Togo.

Background: Although global rates of under-five mortality have declined, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Togo, have not achieved sufficient progress. We aimed to identify the structural and intermediary determinants associated with under-five mortality in northern Togo.

Methods: We collected population-representative cross-sectional household surveys adapted from the Demographic Household Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey from women of reproductive age in northern Togo in 2018.

COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers at Lomé international airport (Togo), in 2022.

COVID-19 pandemic management leads to new health policies including the requirement of a vaccination pass or a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for cross-border flights. The objective of this study was to estimate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers, as well as factors associated with a full vaccination. A cross sectional study was conducted in July 2022 at the Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport (LFW) in Lomé.

Preexposure prophylaxis availability among health facilities participating in the global International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium.

Background: While recognized as a key HIV prevention strategy, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) availability and accessibility are not well documented globally. We aimed to describe PrEP drug registration status and the availability of PrEP services across HIV care sites participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) research consortium.

Methods: We used country-level PrEP drug registration status from the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and data from IeDEA surveys conducted in 2014, 2017 and 2020 among participating HIV clinics in seven global regions.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with malaria infection in children under two years of age in southern Togo prior to perennial malaria chemoprevention implementation.

Background: Malaria remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in young children in sub-Saharan Africa. To prevent malaria in children living in moderate-to-high malaria transmission areas, the World Health Organization has recommended perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC). Prior to piloting PMC implementation in southern Togo, a household survey was conducted to estimate malaria infection prevalence in children under 2 years of age (U2).

High-risk human papillomavirus distribution according to human immunodeficiency virus status among women with cervical cancer in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 2018 to 2020.

As human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation and HPV-based cervical cancer (CC) screening programmes expand across sub-Saharan Africa, we investigated the potential impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status on high-risk (HR)-HPV distribution among women with CC in Côte d'Ivoire. From July 2018 to June 2020, paraffin-embedded CC specimens diagnosed in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire were systematically collected and tested for HR-HPV DNA. Type-specific HR-HPV prevalence was compared according to HIV status.