Ten-year attrition and antiretroviral therapy response among HIV-positive adults: a sex-based cohort analysis from eight West African countries.

Introduction: Sex differences have already been reported in sub-Saharan Africa for attrition and immunological response after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, but follow-up was usually limited to the first two to three years after ART initiation. We evaluated sex differences on the same outcomes in the 10 years following ART initiation in West African adults.

Methods: We used cohort data of patients included in the IeDEA West Africa collaboration, who initiated ART between 2002 and 2014.

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.

Acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Benin: a qualitative study.

In Benin, consistent condom use among men who have sex with men (MSM)  is relatively low and providing them with Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could be of great relevance. We aimed to describe PrEP knowledge and intention to use it; identify key facilitators and barriers to PrEP; and describe the perceived impact of PrEP on unsafe sexual behavior. MSM, 18 years or older, HIV-negative or of unknown status, were enrolled in five cities of Benin.

Afri-Can Forum 2 : Johannesburg, South Africa. 16-18 February 2015.

A1 Introduction to the 2nd synchronicity forum of GHRI/CHVI-funded Canadian and African HIV prevention and vaccine teams O1 Voluntary medical male circumcision for prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV in adult males in Soweto: What do indicators and incidence rate show? Hillary Mukudu, Neil Martinson, Benn Sartorius O2 Developing a peer-led community mobilization program for sex workers in Soweto: HIV risk and demographics Jenny Coetzee, Janan Dietrich, Kgaugelo Mokgatswana, Rachel Jewkes, Glenda E. Gray O3 Salient beliefs about adherence: A qualitative survey conducted as part of the demonstration study on "treatment as prevention" (TasP) and "pre-exposure prophylaxis" (PrEP) among female sex workers (FSWS) in Cotonou, Benin Marylène Dugas, Luc Béhanzin, Fernand A. Guédou, Marie-Pierre Gagnon, Michel Alary O4 Relative perception of risk as a driver of unsafe sexual practices among key populations: Cases of fisherfolk and women and their partners involved in multiple sexual partnerships in Uganda Rwamahe Rutakumwa, Martin Mbonye, Thadeus Kiwanuka, Sarah Nakamanya, Richard Muhumuza, Winfred Nalukenge, Janet Seeley O5 Exploring the acceptability of new biomedical HIV prevention technologies among MSM, adolescents and heterosexual adults in South Africa Millicent Atujuna, Melissa Wallace, Ben Brown, Linda Gail Bekker, Peter A.

Cancer and HIV infection in referral hospitals from four West African countries.

The consequences of the HIV epidemic on cancer epidemiology are sparsely documented in Africa. We aimed to estimate the association between HIV infection and selected types of cancers among patients hospitalized for cancer in four West African countries. A case-referent study was conducted in referral hospitals of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Togo.

Incidence of pregnancy after antiretroviral therapy initiation and associated factors in 8 West African countries.

Introduction: This study aimed at estimating the incidence of pregnancy after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in 8 West African countries over a 10-year period.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted within the international database of the IeDEA West Africa Collaboration. All HIV-infected women aged <50 years and starting ART for their own health between 1998 and 2011 were eligible.

[Means of communication for an early detection of diabetic nephropathy among the diabetics followed in the academic hospital of Cotonou].

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of knowledge and the means of communication for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. This is a prospective study which took place from 6 February to 31 May 2012, in the Academic Clinics of Nephrology-Hemodialysis and the Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases. Included all patients with diabetes mellitus in two sexes, older than fifteen years and hospitalized in one of these two clinicals or received in consultation during the study period.

Short communication: antibody responses to human immunodeficiency virus envelope from infections with multiple subtypes utilize the 1F7-idiotypic repertoire.

A common idiotype of anti-HIV antibodies (Abs), designated as 1F7, was recently observed on anti-HIV broadly neutralizing Abs (BnAbs). The presence of the 1F7-idiotype on BnAbs suggests that continuous selection of 1F7-idiotypic Abs may allow these clones to achieve the somatic hypermutation necessary for broad neutralization. As the selection of type-specific BnAbs occurs in the setting of infections with a wide array of HIV subtypes, we investigated Abs from subjects infected with diverse subtypes for the selection of 1F7-idiotypic Abs.

The spectrum of cancers in West Africa: associations with human immunodeficiency virus.

Background: Cancer is a growing co-morbidity among HIV-infected patients worldwide. With the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in developing countries, cancer will contribute more and more to the HIV/AIDS disease burden. Our objective was to estimate the association between HIV infection and selected types of cancers among patients hospitalized for diagnosis or treatment of cancer in West Africa.

High level of soluble HLA-G in the female genital tract of Beninese commercial sex workers is associated with HIV-1 infection.

Background: Most HIV infections are transmitted across mucosal epithelium. Understanding the role of innate and specific mucosal immunity in susceptibility or protection against HIV infection, as well as the effect of HIV infection on mucosal immunity, are of fundamental importance. HLA-G is a powerful modulator of the immune response.

Alcohol use and non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients in West Africa.

Aim: To investigate the association between alcohol use and adherence to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional survey conducted in eight adult HIV treatment centres from Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali. Participants and measurements During a 4-week period, health workers administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to HAART-treated patients and assessed treatment adherence using the AIDS Clinical Trials Group follow-up questionnaire.