Barriers to social participation for people with disabilities in NTD-endemic areas of Benin and Côte d'Ivoire: Assessing scope and associated factors.

People with disabilities (PWDs) due to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) or other causes experience restrictions on social participation (RSPs). This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of these restrictions and associated factors in NTD-endemic communities in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. This cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 among 841 people with disabilities (PWDs) and 90 community members and stakeholders.

[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.

Prevalence and determinants of high-risk human papilloma virus among men who have sex with men in Benin: a cross-sectional study embedded in a demonstration project on pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with anal high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV).

Design: A cross-sectional study conducted from 24 August 2020 to 24 November 2020.

Setting: Primary care, Cotonou, Benin.

[Not Available].

Introduction: Worldwide and particularly in Africa, Men who have sex with men (MSM) can play a significant role in response to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In Burkina Faso the fight against HIV within this population seems to be limited by violence towards MSM.

Purpose Of Research: The goal of this study was to identify the social obstacles to HIV response among MSM in Burkina Faso.

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.

Longitudinal study of pregnancy intention and its association with pregnancy occurrence among female sex workers in Benin and Mali.

Background: The intention of becoming pregnant has an evident impact on the prenatal and postnatal period. For female sex workers (FSWs) in West Africa, among whom pregnancies are frequent as are HIV and sexually transmitted infections, a better understanding of their pregnancy intention and its influence on pregnancy occurrence could help prevent unwanted pregnancies and adverse effects on wanted pregnancies.

Methods: We recruited 330 FSWs in Benin and 322 in Mali and followed them for 12 months.

Knowledge, opinions and experiences of researchers regarding ethical regulation of biomedical research in Benin: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Ethics in biomedical research is still a fairly new concept in Africa. This work aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and experiences of Beninese researchers with regard to the national ethical regulatory framework of biomedical research in Benin.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study, involving all the researchers fulfilling the inclusion criteria.

HIV self-testing implementation, distribution and use among female sex workers in Cotonou, Benin: a qualitative evaluation of acceptability and feasibility.

Background: In Benin, the burden of HIV is disproportionately high among female sex workers (FSWs). HIV testing and knowledge of status are starting points for HIV treatment and prevention interventions. Despite the importance given to testing services in HIV control, its uptake among FSWs remains suboptimal in Benin.

Monocyte Gene and Molecular Expression Profiles Suggest Distinct Effector and Regulatory Functions in Beninese HIV Highly Exposed Seronegative Female Commercial Sex Workers.

We have previously reported that the female genital tract (FGT) of Beninese HIV highly-exposed seronegative (HESN) commercial sex workers (CSWs), presented elevated frequencies of a myeloid HLA-DR+CD14+CD11c+ population presenting "tolerogenic" monocyte derived dendritic cells (MoDC) features. In order to assess whether a differential profile of monocytes may be involved in the generation of these genital MoDCs, we have herein characterized the blood monocyte compartment of Beninese HESNs (HIV-uninfected ≥ 10 years CSWs) and relevant controls (HIV-uninfected 2.5-5 years CSWs herein termed "early HESNs"), HIV-infected CSWs, and low-risk HIV-uninfected women from the general population.

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.

Assessing the Potential Impact of Disruptions Due to COVID-19 on HIV Among Key and Lower-Risk Populations in the Largest Cities of Cameroon and Benin.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic indirectly impacts HIV epidemiology in Central/West Africa. We estimated the potential impact of COVID-19-related disruptions to HIV prevention/treatment services and sexual partnerships on HIV incidence and HIV-related deaths among key populations including female sex workers (FSW), their clients, men who have sex with men, and overall.

Setting: Yaoundé (Cameroon) and Cotonou (Benin).

HIV Prevention and Treatment Cascades Among Female Sex Workers in Benin, West Africa.

Background: Benin has a long-standing history of HIV prevention programs aimed at female sex workers (FSWs). We used data from a national survey among FSWs (2017) to assess the prevention and care cascades in this population.

Methods: Female sex workers were recruited through cluster sampling of sex work sites.

Determinants of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Adherence Among Female Sex Workers in a Demonstration Study in Cotonou, Benin: A Study of Behavioral and Demographic Factors.

Background: HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) efficacy is closely linked to adherence, and factors associated with PrEP adherence are not well understood and may differ across populations. As PrEP demonstration projects and implementation are ongoing, it is essential to understand factors associated with adherence to oral PrEP to design effective adherence interventions and maximize the public health impact of PrEP. We thus aimed to assess demographic and behavioral factors associated with optimal PrEP adherence (100%) among female sex workers (FSWs) participating in a demonstration project in Cotonou, Benin.

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.

Overview and factors associated with pregnancies and abortions occurring in sex workers in Benin.

Background: Behavioural and structural factors related to sex work, place female sex workers (FSWs) at high risk of maternal mortality and morbidity (MMM), with a large portion due to unintended pregnancies and abortions. In the African context where MMM is the highest in the world, understanding the frequency and determinants of pregnancy and abortion among FSWs is important in order to meet their sexual and reproductive health needs.

Methods: Data from two Beninese cross-sectional surveys among FSWs aged 18+ (2013, N = 450; 2016, N = 504) were merged.

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.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Female Sex Workers in Bamako, Mali.

Background: We aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Bamako, Mali, and (2) identify factors associated with STIs including HIV infection in this population.

Methods: We analyzed baseline data from a prospective observational cohort study on cervical cancer screening, human papillomavirus, and HIV infections among FSWs 18 years or older recruited in Bamako. Multivariable log-binomial regression was used to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for HIV infection and STIs versus associated factors.

Comparison of adherence measurement tools used in a pre-exposure prophylaxis demonstration study among female sex workers in Benin.

Background: Measuring adherence to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) remains challenging. Biological adherence measurements are reported to be more accurate than self-reports and pill counts but can be expensive and not suitable on a daily basis in resource-limited countries. Using data from a demonstration project on PrEP among female sex workers in Benin, we aimed to measure adherence to PrEP and compare self-report and pill count adherence to tenofovir (TFV) disoproxil fumarate (TDF) concentration in plasma to determine if these 2 measures are reliable and correlate well with biological adherence measurements.

TIGIT is upregulated by HIV-1 infection and marks a highly functional adaptive and mature subset of natural killer cells.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate the mechanisms that govern natural killer (NK)-cell responses to HIV, with a focus on specific receptor--ligand interactions involved in HIV recognition by NK cells.

Design And Methods: We first performed a mass cytometry-based screen of NK-cell receptor expression patterns in healthy controls and HIV individuals. We then focused mechanistic studies on the expression and function of T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT).

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.