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Background Data on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion among men who have sex with men (MSM) using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in West Africa are needed. This study aimed to document HIV seroconversion and associated determinants, PrEP adherence, plasma drug concentrations, and HIV drug resistance in MSM using event-driven or daily PrEP in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Togo. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in 2017–2021 among HIV-seronegative MSM aged 18 or over who were at high risk of HIV infection. Participants could choose between event-driven and daily PrEP, switch regimens, and discontinue or restart PrEP. The determinants of HIV incidence were investigated using a multivariate mixed-effects Poisson regression analysis. Results A total of 647 participants were followed for a total time of 1229.3 person-years. Of 5371 visits, event-driven PrEP was chosen in 3873 (72.1%), and daily PrEP in 1400 (26.1%). HIV incidence was 2.4 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–3.6) for event-driven PrEP, and 0.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI.1–2.3) for daily PrEP (adjusted incidence rate ratio 4.40, 95% CI 1.00–19.36, P =.050). Adequate adherence was lower with event-driven than daily PrEP (44.3% vs 74.9%, P <.001). Plasma drug concentrations were undetectable in 92 (97.9%) of the 94 measures taken for 23 participants who seroconverted. Only 1 participant had resistance to PrEP drugs. Conclusions HIV seroconversions mainly occurred in participants who chose event-driven PrEP. The study's data highlighted major difficulties with adherence to this regimen. Improving adherence to event-driven PrEP constitutes a major research and public health priority in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Introduction: Daily pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We assessed the renal safety of on‐demand PrEP with TDF/FTC in HIV‐1 uninfected men. Methods: We used data from the randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled ANRS‐IPERGAY trial and its open‐label extension conducted between February 2012 and June 2016 among HIV‐uninfected MSM starting on‐demand PrEP. Using linear mixed model, we evaluated the mean eGFR decline from baseline over time and determined risks factors associated with eGFR decline during the study. Results: During the blind phase, with a median follow‐up of 9.4 months, the mean decline slope of eGFR from baseline was −0.88 and −1.53 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2] per year in the placebo (n = 201) and the TDF/FTC group (n = 198) respectively, with a slope difference of 0.65 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2] per year (p = 0.27). Including both phases, 389 participants started on‐demand TDF/FTC with a median follow‐up of 19.2 months and a mean decline of eGFR from baseline of −1.14 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2] per year (p < 0.001). The slope of eGFR reduction was not significantly different in participants with baseline eGFR ≤ 90 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2] (p = 0.44), age >40 years (p = 0.24) or hypertension (p = 0.21). There was a dose‐response relationship between recent tenofovir exposure and lower eGFR when considering the number of pills taken in the two months prior the visit (eGFR difference of −0.88 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2] between >15 pills/month vs. ≤15 pills/month, p < 0.01) or plasma tenofovir concentrations at the visit (eGFR difference compared to ≤2 ng/mL: >2 to ≤10ng/mL: −0.98 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2], >10 to ≤40ng/mL: −1.28 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2], >40 ng/mL: −1.82 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2], p < 0.001). Three participants discontinued TDF/FTC for eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m[sup.2] during the OLE phase. No case of Fanconi syndrome was reported. Conclusions: The renal safety of on‐demand PrEP with TDF/FTC was good. The overall reduction and intermittent exposure to TDF/FTC may explain this good renal safety., Introduction Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) – emtricitabine (FTC) raises a lot of expectations to hamper HIV epidemic due to its high effectiveness to prevent HIV acquisition [...]

: Introduction: Increasing our knowledge on geographic areas and key populations most affected by HIV is essential to improve prevention and care and to ensure a more focused HIV response. Here, we estimated the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infections in Belgium and its distribution across geographic areas and exposure groups. Methods: We used surveillance data on newly diagnosed HIV cases and a previously developed back‐calculation model to estimate number and prevalence rates (per 10000) of undiagnosed HIV infections by exposure group at national and subnational levels. Belgium consists of three regions: Flanders, Brussels‐Capital Region and Wallonia. We produced estimates for Brussels‐Capital Region and Wallonia. For Flanders, we produced estimates for two sub‐regional areas: the province of Antwerp and the other provinces, because Antwerp is the second largest city after Brussels. Population sizes were determined using data from the Belgian Statistical Office and surveys on sexual behaviour and drug use. Results: In Belgium, in 2015, an estimated 2818 (95% confidence interval: 2494 to 3208) individuals were living with undiagnosed HIV, that is, 15% of individuals living with HIV. The Brussels‐Capital Region and the province of Antwerp, which host the two biggest cities, accounted for ~60% of the undiagnosed infections, and had the highest undiagnosed prevalence rates per 10000: 12.0 (9.4 to 15.3) and 7.4 (5.6 to 9.8) respectively. Individuals with foreign nationality accounted for 56% of the total number of undiagnosed infections, and were the most affected populations in all areas in terms of undiagnosed prevalence rates. Specifically, men who have sex with men (MSM) with non‐European nationality were the most affected population in the province of Antwerp (853.4 (408.2 to 1641.9) undiagnosed infections per 10000), the Brussels‐Capital Region (543.9 (289.1 to 1019.1)), and the other provinces of Flanders (691.7 (235.5 to 1442.2)), while in Wallonia, it was heterosexual women with Sub‐Saharan African nationality (132.2 (90.6 to 178.5)). Conclusions: Geographic areas hosting the biggest cities in Belgium accounted for the vast majority of undiagnosed HIV infections and individuals with foreign nationality were the most affected, especially MSM with non‐European nationality. This should be accounted for when tailoring prevention and testing programs. Furthermore, MSM with foreign nationality require more attention in Belgium, and certainly more generally in Europe., Introduction Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during the course of HIV infection reduces HIV‐related morbidity and mortality and is thus critical for HIV‐positive individuals. Furthermore, ART enables viral load [...]

: Introduction: While bio‐behavioural interventions (BIs) for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV prevention have shown their effectiveness (e.g. treatment for syphilis, HPV vaccination or pre‐exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]), they have also aroused major concerns regarding behavioural changes that could counteract their benefit. Risk compensation (RC) fears concerning BIs in the HIV/STIs prevention field are intimately linked to representations, judgements and social control on sexual behaviour. With an increasing number of PrEP studies describing a rise in STIs due to RC, this paper argues for a shift away from the focus on RC and proposes a more constructive approach to respond to the needs of people living with HIV and populations most at risk. Discussion: The concept of RC, stemming from road safety and derived from economic theory, relies on rational theoretical models of human behaviour. Although widely applied in several contexts its use has been reasonably questioned. Major methodological issues regarding RC have been raised within HIV/AIDS literature. Although behavioural changes (e.g. condomless sex and number of sexual partners) are often erroneously assimilated with RC, there is no evidence that behavioural changes have undermined the effectiveness of previous and current BIs. Still, PrEP has not escaped RC concerns. Increases in condomless sex within the context of growing uptake of PrEP signals a continued need for integrated and innovative HIV and STI prevention strategies and a comprehensive sexual health approach. Routine HIV/STI testing, peer‐led counselling, and identification of sexual health needs within the PrEP model of care could become a gold standard in the sexual health field for all populations. Conclusions: RC remains a frequent argument against the availability and provision of prevention methods for vulnerable populations. Individuals should be able to benefit from the full panel of BIs options available, to find and adapt methods according to their needs. Current, past and future PrEP users, with other stakeholders, may provide valuable insight into innovative solutions and programmes to control HIV and other STIs., Introduction In 2015, in spite of strong evidence of the efficacy of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection and WHO recommendations, a rebuttal to the Lancet HIV editorial “PrEP: [...]

Communities have been a driving force in the response to the HIV epidemic, advocating for research, the access to treatment and healthcare, and human rights for key populations (KP) and [...]

Objectives: To assess the impact on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of different tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine dosing regimens for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).Patients and Methods: We included in the study individuals with baseline eGFR > 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 who initiated PrEP in the ongoing ANRS-PREVENIR PrEP cohort. We retrospectively classified PrEP users in three groups: 'on-demand' (reported at ≥75% of study visits), 'daily' (≥75% of study visits) or 'switches'. We compared the area under curve (AUC) of the eGFR variation from baseline (ΔeGFR) between groups using analysis of covariance, and assessed factors associated with a negative AUC of ΔeGFR.Results: From May 2017 to October 2020, 1253 PrEP-naïve participants (98% of MSM) were included in the study with a median follow-up of 22 months. 499 (40%), 494 (39%) and 260 (21%) users were in the group daily, on-demand and switches, respectively, for a median number of pills taken per week of 6, 1.7 and 4. The mean AUC of the ΔeGFR was -1.09 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the daily PrEP group, -0.69 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the switches group and +0.18 mL/min/1.73 m2 with on-demand PrEP. In a model adjusted on baseline age and eGFR, the AUC of the ΔeGFR was significantly higher with on-demand PrEP compared to daily PrEP (P = 0.037). Independent factors associated with a negative AUC of ΔeGFR were a daily PrEP regimen, a switches regimen, an age > 40 years and a baseline eGFR≥90 mL/min/1.73 m².Conclusions: On-demand PrEP dosing had a smaller impact on eGFR evolution than daily PrEP, but the difference was not clinically relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ANRS-IPERGAY was a community-based randomized trial investigating the efficacy of sexual activity-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in a population of males and transgender females who had sex with men and were at high risk of HIV infection. We qualitatively analyzed the support provided to participants by community-based health workers (CBHW) throughout the trial's double-blind and open-label extension phases. In particular, we showed that the relationship between participants and CBHW strongly influenced self-managed pill intake. The delicate construction of this relationship, balanced between trust and dependence, played an important role in PrEP adherence. CBHW had to deal with various issues surrounding participants' feelings of empowerment regarding their role in the trial, as well as related tensions between various logics and rationalities. They were essential to participants' continued involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the issue of homosexuality in the African public space. It is said that the growing interest of international bodies in the fight against AIDS for sexual minorities since the early 2000s has made this issue more and more apparent in the African public space. While the epidemic was mostly considered heterosexual in Africa, its homosexual dimension is gaining increasing attention.

Background Although men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, they do not have access to vaccination in West Africa, which is a highly endemic region. We investigated HBV prevalence and associated factors, as well as acceptability and difficulties of vaccination in MSM enrolled in an operational research program in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Togo. Methods We followed up 779 MSM in 2015–2018. Participants who were negative for both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies (anti-HBs) at enrollment were offered HBV vaccination. Factors associated with HBV infection were identified using logistic regression models. Results Overall, HBV prevalence was 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.0%–13.6%). It was lower in Togo than in Côte d'Ivoire (2.7% vs 17.3%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02–0.28) and higher in participants with 6+ recent male sexual partners (21.0% vs 9.3%; aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.12–1.97). Of 528 participants eligible for vaccination, 484 (91.7%) were willing to be vaccinated and received at least 1 dose (ranging from 68.2% in Abidjan to 96.4% in Bamako; P <.001). Of the latter, 390 (80.6%) received 3 or 4 doses. The proportion of participants for whom the minimum required time between each dose was respected ranged from 10.9% in Bamako to 88.6% in Lomé (P <.001). Conclusions MSM in West Africa should be targeted more for HBV screening and vaccination. Although vaccination is well accepted by MSM, greater training of health care workers and education of MSM are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]