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ObjectiveTo describe sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of female sex workers (FSWs) to inform the future implementation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in this population.Design and settingThe ANRS 12361 PrEP-CI cross-sectional and mixed-methods study was designed and implemented with two community-based organisations in Côte d’Ivoire.ParticipantsA convenience sample of 1000 FSWs aged ≥18, not known as HIV-positive, completed a standardised questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, sexual practices, use of community health services and a priori acceptability of PrEP. Twenty-two indepth interviews and eight focus group discussions were also conducted to document FSWs’ risky practices and sexual behaviours, experiences with violence and discrimination, attitudes regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and barriers to SRH services.ResultsAlthough 87% described consistent condom use with clients, more than 22% declared accepting condomless sexual intercourse for a large sum of money. Furthermore, condom use with their steady partner and knowledge of their partner’s HIV status were low despite their acknowledged concurrent sexual partnerships. While inconsistent condom use exposed FSWs to STIs and undesired pregnancies, the prevalence of contraceptive strategies other than condoms was low (39%) due to fear of contraception causing sterility. FSWs faced obstacles to accessing SRH care and preferred advice from their peers or self-medication.ConclusionsDespite adoption of preventive behaviour in most cases, FSWs are still highly exposed to HIV. Furthermore, FSWs seem to face several barriers to accessing SRH. Implementing PrEP among FSWs in West Africa, such as in Côte d’Ivoire, constitutes an opportunity to consider the regular follow-up of HIV-negative FSWs. PrEP initiation should not condition access to SRH services; conversely, SRH services could be a way to attract FSWs into HIV prevention. Our results highlight the importance of developing a people-focused approach that integrates all SRH needs when transitioning from PrEP efficacy trials to implementation.

International audience; AimIn West Africa, most countries have mixed HIV epidemics; new tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should target in priority most affected populations, particularly female sex workers (FSWs). This paper describes sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of FSWs in Côte d’Ivoire to inform the future implementation of PrEP in this population.Method/IssueThe ANRS 12361 PrEP-CI cross-sectional and mixed-methods study was designed and implemented with two Ivorian community-based organizations. 1000 FSWs completed a standardized questionnaire assessing women’s sociodemographic characteristics, sexual practices and behaviors, use of community health services, a priori acceptability of PrEP. Twenty-two in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions were conducted at prostitution sites. FSWs were interviewed about risky practices and sexual behaviors, experiences with violence and discrimination, attitudes regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and barriers to SRH services.Results/CommentsThe quantitative and qualitative results showed that FSWs were highly exposed to HIV despite their use of condoms with clients. 91% did not use condoms with their regular partner, despite their acknowledged concurrent sexual partnerships. 23% accepted condomless sexual intercourse for a large sum of money, especially when they had had few previous clients. Moreover, FSWs faced many unmet needs regarding SRH beyond HIV prevention and treatment. Inconsistent condom use exposed FSWs to STIs and undesired pregnancies. However, the prevalence of contraceptive use was low (40%) due to fear of contraception causing sterility. FSWs faced obstacles in accessing SRH care and preferred advice from their peers or self-medication.DiscussionImplementing PrEP among FSWs in West Africa, such as in Côte d’Ivoire, constitutes an opportunity to consider the chronic follow-up of HIV-negative FSWs. PrEP initiation should not condition access to SRH services; conversely, SRH services could be a way to attract FSWs into practicing HIV prevention. Our results highlight the importance of developing a people-focused approach that integrates all SRH needs when transitioning from PrEP efficacy trials to implementation.

International audience; ContexteBien que les travailleuses du sexe (TS) constituent une population particulièrement à risque du VIH, la compréhension du fardeau du VIH reste limitée dans cette population en Afrique subsaharienne. Le projet PrEP-CI ANRS 12361 comportait une estimation de l’incidence de l’infection VIH chez des TS en Côte d’Ivoire à l’aide de tests d’infection récente.MéthodesL’étude a été conduite entre septembre 2016 et mars 2017 auprès de TS âgées de 18 ans et plus à Abidjan et à San Pedro, en mobilisant une méthodologie mixte :(i) des entretiens qualitatifs individuels et des focus groupes auprès de 60 TS,(ii) un questionnaire sociodémographique standardisé ainsi qu’un dépistage du VIH par deux tests rapides (Determine®, Alere et Vikia®, bio Mérieux) administrés par des paires éducatrices sur les sites prostitutionnels auprès de 1000 TS. En cas de positivité, un prélèvement sur DBS a été réalisé pour déterminer la fenêtre d’infection à l’aide d’un test d’infection récente (EIA-RI) adapté au contexte ivoirien.Résultats1000 TS (400 à San Pedro, 600 à Abidjan) avec un âge médian de 25 ans [Intervalle Interquartile = 21-29] ont été incluses dans l’étude et ont été dépistées pour le VIH. Parmi elles, 39 ont été diagnostiquées VIH+, dont 7 infectées récemment (durée moyenne de la durée d’infection de 113 jours), correspondant à une incidence du VIH de 2,2%.L’incidence est plus élevée à San Pedro (3,2%) qu’à Abidjan (1,5%). Ces résultats sont à mettre en regard des données qualitatives : les TS de San Pedro ont témoigné de difficultés (distance, horaires, coûts …) à accéder aux soins de santé et aux moyens de prévention, notamment le préservatif. L’infection à VIH est également associée à la vulnérabilité : l’incidence est plus élevée chez celles qui pratiquent des passes ≤ 2000 CFA (3,1% vs. 0,7%) ; chez celles qui exercent sur les trottoirs (5,1%) et dans les hôtels (3,8%) ; et chez celles qui ne travaillent qu’une fois par semaine (2,9% vs. 0 cas incident observé chez celles qui travaillent tous les jours). Les TS travaillant occasionnellement sont plus difficilement identifiées par les paires éducatrices et ont moins accès à la prévention. Enfin, les TS de moins de 25 ans sont plus à risque d’infection (2,6%) que celles de plus âgées (1,6%) et l’incidence du VIH est associée aux autres IST (2,3% chez celles ayant eu ≥1 IST au cours des 12 derniers mois vs 1,8%).ConclusionCette étude est l’une des premières à estimer l’incidence du VIH en Côte d’Ivoire chez les TS. Cette population est beaucoup plus exposée que le reste de la population générale (2,2% vs. 0,06% estimé par l’Onusida). Les nouvelles infections se concentrent chez les TS plus jeunes, en situation précaire et travaillant dans des zones reculées, en particulier dans la région de San Pedro. Ces sous-groupes vulnérables doivent donc être visés en priorité par les programmes de prévention et devraient se voir proposer une prophylaxie préexposition (PrEP) selon les recommandations de l’OMS.

International audience; BackgroundFemale sex workers (FSW) are a population at high risk of HIV acquisition. New tools to diagnose recent HIV infection may be used to better describe risk of HIV acquisition in this group. The ANRS 12361 PrEP-CI project aimed to estimate HIV incidence and describe risk factors among FSW in Côte d’Ivoire.MethodsThe study was conducted between September 2016 and March 2017 among FSW aged ≥18 years old in Abidjan and San Pedro. Two rapid tests for recent HIV infection (Determine®, Alere and Vikia®, bio Mérieux) were offered to FSW; in case of positive result, a dried blood sport was collected and window period of infection determined using a test for recent infection (EIA-RI) adapted to the Ivorian context. A standardized sociodemographic questionnaire was then administered to FSW by female peer educators, completed with qualitative interviews and focus groups with 60 FSW.Results1000 SW (400 in San Pedro and 600 in Abidjan) with a median age of 25 years (interquartile range: 21-29) were included in the study and screened for HIV. Of these, 39 were diagnosed with HIV, 7 of which were newly infected (mean duration of infection was 113 days), corresponding to an HIV incidence of 2.3% [95% confidence interval: 1.6 - 3.1%]. The incidence was higher in San Pedro (3.3% [2.2-4.5]) than in Abidjan (1.6% [1.1-2.2]); this can be explained by qualitative data in which FSW in San Pedro expressed difficulties (distance, time, costs ...) in accessing health care services and prevention methods, particularly regarding condoms. HIV infection was also associated with vulnerability: the incidence was higher among those who charged ≤ 2000 CFA francs per intercourse (3.3% vs. 0.7%), those who performed on the streets or in hotels (5.4% and 4.2%, respectively, vs. 3.9% in brothel and 0.8% in bar – drinking spot), and among those who had more than 5 clients the last working day (6.1% vs. 1.8% among those who had under 5 clients) and who could be more difficult to identify and refer to HIV prevention services by female peer educators. Finally, FSW under