[Prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C in men who have sex with men enrolled in a demonstration study of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV in Cotonou, Benin].

Introduction: men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. In Benin, there are no data on MSM. The purpose of this study was to estimate HBV and HCV prevalence and HBV-associated factors in MSM who were HIV negative.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis in real life: experience from a prospective, observational and demonstration project among men who have sex with men in Benin, West Africa.

Introduction: Since many countries in sub-Saharan Africa are willing to implement HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for men who have sex with men (MSM), data are needed to assess its feasibility and relevance in real life. The study objectives were to assess drug uptake, adherence, condom use and number of sexual partners, HIV incidence and trends in the prevalence of gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

Methods: In this oral PrEP demonstration study conducted prospectively in Benin, a combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-TDF 300 mg and emtricitabine-FTC 200 mg (TDF-FTC) was offered daily or on-demand to MSM.

Type-specific incidence, persistence and factors associated with human papillomavirus infection among female sex workers in Benin and Mali, West Africa.

Objectives: This study in female sex workers (FSWs) aimed to: (1) estimate type-specific incidence and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Cotonou (Benin) and Bamako (Mali); and (2) identify the factors associated with type-specific incidence and persistence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection.

Methods: A 1-year prospective cohort study on cervical cancer screening, and HPV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections was conducted among FSWs in Cotonou and Bamako from 2017 to 2019. Poisson regression models assessed factors associated with the incidence of HR-HPV infection, while log-binomial regression was performed to identify factors associated with the persistence of HR-HPV infection.

Human papillomavirus genotype distribution and factors associated among female sex workers in West Africa.

Objectives: This study aimed to: (1) Estimate HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among female sex workers (FSWs) in Mali and Benin as well as the prevalence of multiple HPV type infections in this group, and (2) Identify potential risk factors associated with high-risk (HR) HPV infections.

Methods: We analyzed baseline data of 665 FSWs aged ≥ 18 years recruited during a prospective cohort of cervical cancer screening in Cotonou (Benin) and Bamako (Mali) from 2017 to 2018. The Linear Array HPV genotyping test was used to identify HPV genotypes.

Mathematical Model Impact Analysis of a Real-Life Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment-As-Prevention Study Among Female Sex Workers in Cotonou, Benin.

Background: Daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment-as-prevention (TasP) reduce HIV acquisition and transmission risk, respectively. A demonstration study (2015-2017) assessed TasP and PrEP feasibility among female sex workers (FSW) in Cotonou, Benin.

Setting: Cotonou, Benin.

HIV treatment response among female sex workers participating in a treatment as prevention demonstration project in Cotonou, Benin.

Objectives: Female sex workers (FSWs) play a key role in HIV transmission in West Africa, while they have limited access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). In line with UNAIDS recommendations extending ART to all HIV-infected individuals, we conducted this demonstration project on immediate treatment as prevention (TasP) among FSWs in Cotonou, Benin. We report data on treatment response and its relation to adherence, as well as on ART-resistant genotypes.

PrEP Use Among Female Sex Workers: No Evidence for Risk Compensation.

Background: Little is known about risk compensation among female sex workers (FSW) on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and self-report of sexual behaviors is subject to bias.

Setting: Prospective observational PrEP demonstration study conducted among FSW in Cotonou, Benin.

Methods: Over a period of 24 months, we assessed and compared trends in unprotected sex as measured by self-report (last 2 or 14 days), by detection of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and by vaginal detection of prostate-specific antigen and Y-chromosomal DNA, 2 biomarkers of semen exposure in the last 2 or 14 days, respectively.

A novel nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the testis-specific protein Y-encoded family of genes for high sensitivity of recent semen exposure detection: Comparison with four other assays of semen detection.

Objectives: Because self-report of sexual behaviours is prone to biases, biomarkers of recent semen exposure are increasingly used to assess unprotected sex. We aimed to present a novel nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting testis-specific protein Y-encoded (TSPY) genes and to compare its performance in detecting recent semen exposure with that of four other assays.

Methods: Forty-five vaginal samples were selected at baseline of a prospective observational demonstration study of early antiretroviral treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis among female sex workers in Benin.

Early antiretroviral therapy and daily pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Cotonou, Benin: a prospective observational demonstration study.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV prevalence remains high, especially among key populations. In such situations, combination prevention including clinical, behavioural, structural and biological components, as well as adequate treatment are important. We conducted a demonstration project at the Dispensaire IST, a clinic dedicated to female sex workers (FSWs) in Cotonou, on early antiretroviral therapy (E-ART, or immediate "test-and-treat") and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Biological Validation of Self-Reported Unprotected Sex and Comparison of Underreporting Over Two Different Recall Periods Among Female Sex Workers in Benin.

Background: Self-reported unprotected sex validity is questionable and is thought to decline with longer recall periods. We used biomarkers of semen to validate self-reported unprotected sex and to compare underreporting of unprotected sex between 2 recall periods among female sex workers (FSW).

Methods: At baseline of an early antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis demonstration study conducted among FSW in Cotonou, Benin, unprotected sex was assessed with retrospective questionnaires, and with vaginal detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Y-chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (Yc-DNA).