[Practices and Factors Associated with Recent HIV Testing in the General Population, Côte d'Ivoire: Results of the ANRS Study 12323 DOD-CI]. / Pratiques et facteurs associés au dépistage récent du VIH en population générale, Côte d'Ivoire. Résultats de l'étude ANRS 12323 DOD-CI.

With 2.9% of HIV prevalence in the general population, Côte d'Ivoire is one of the countries most affected by the HIV epidemic in West Africa. In this country, only 63% of people infected with HIV are aware of their status. A cross-sectional phone survey was conducted with a representative sample of 3,867 individuals to describe the practices and factors associated with a recent HIV testing (≤ 1 year) in Côte d'Ivoire. Data relative to the last done HIV test as well as the socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, access to information, perceptions, capacities and autonomy as well as social and geographical environment of the participants were collected. Logistical regression models were used to identify the associated factors with a recent HIV test (≤ 1 year). Lack of information is one of the main barriers to HIV testing (only 60% of individuals know a place to get tested). For men, despite the fact that HIV testing is free of charge, poor economic conditions seem to be a barrier to testing. The social environment, including peer influence, also appears to have an effect on testing among men. For women, testing is associated with their perceptions of HIV exposure. There is a need to rethink the current HIV testing communication in Côte d'Ivoire and to identify economic or social incentives to remove access barriers to HIV testing.

Avec 2,9 % de sa population infectée par le VIH, la Côte d'Ivoire fait partie des pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest les plus touchés par l'épidémie à VIH. On estime que seules 63 % des personnes infectées par le VIH connaissent leur statut. Une enquête transversale, par téléphone, a été réalisée auprès d'un échantillon représentatif de 3 867 personnes afin de décrire les pratiques et les facteurs associés à la réalisation récente (≤ 1 an) d'un dépistage du VIH en Côte d'Ivoire. Les données collectées concernaient le dernier test réalisé ainsi que les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, comportements sexuels, accès à l'information, perceptions, capacités, autonomies ainsi que l'environnement social et géographique des participants. Des modèles de régression logistique ont été réalisés afin d'identifier les facteurs associés à la réalisation récente d'un test du VIH (≤ 1 an). Le manque d'information est l'un des principaux freins au dépistage (seuls 60 % des individus connaissent un lieu où réaliser un test). Chez les hommes, malgré la gratuité du dépistage, une faible condition économique semble être un frein à la réalisation d'un test. L'environnement social, notamment l'influence des pairs, semble aussi avoir un effet sur le recours au dépistage chez les hommes. Chez les femmes, le dépistage est associé à leurs perceptions d'exposition au VIH. L'offre de dépistage actuelle en Côte d'Ivoire nécessite de repenser la communication autour du test ainsi que d'identifier des incitatifs économiques ou sociaux permettant de lever les freins au dépistage.

Effect of organizational models of provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) in health facilities on adult HIV testing coverage in sub-Saharan Africa.

The purpose of this paper is to identify which Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) organizational models are the most efficient to maximize testing coverage. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify published articles that evaluated routine PITC programs implemented in adult health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. We considered only articles measuring PITC offer, PITC acceptability and PITC coverage. Adjusted meta-regression models were performed to measure the association between PITC offer, acceptability and coverage with PITC organizational model. A total of 30 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, 85.4% [95%CI: 77.2-93.5] of patients were offered a test, and 87.1% [82.4-91.7] accepted the test resulting in a PITC coverage of 74.3% [66-82.6]. Four types of PITC organizational models were identified: PITC initiated and performed during the consultation (model A), PITC initiated before consultation (model B), PITC referred on-site (model C) and PITC referred off-site (model D). Compared to model A, model B had a similar coverage (aOR: 1.02 [0.82-1.26]). However, coverage was lower for model C (aOR: 0.81 [0.68-0.97]) and model D (aOR: 0.58 [0.44-0.77]). Initiating the testing process before or during medical consultation is recommended for maximizing testing coverage among patients.

[Health care, needs and barriers in seeking medical care for global health and sexual and reproductive health, among students from Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire]. / Recours aux soins de santé globale et de santé sexuelle et reproductive, chez les étudiants de l'université Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: In Ivory Coast, little is known about health needs and health access barriers among young people. The aim of this study was to describe health provision, health needs and barriers when seeking medical care, with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health, and the acceptability of a medical examination for students attending their first year at the Houphouët-Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. METHODS: We conducted a representative cross-sectional study among second year students who were selected by two-stage equiprobable random sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted among students and the university health center staff. RESULTS: Five hundred and forty three students (322 men and 221 women) answered a questionnaire (participation rate 98.4%). Among women who ever had sex, 38.4% (95%CI [30.5%-47.0%]) had unmet contraception needs and 31.2% [23.7%-40.0%] had experienced an unwanted pregnancy. Fear about impaired fertility was the leading reason for non-use of hormonal contraception, the method of choice among most students. The main health problems among students, by order of frequency were malaria (54.3%), respiratory infection (44.6%), constipation (28.0%) and psychological problems (25.9%). High cost perception of services offered, despite their gratuity, were the main barriers against access to the university health center, indicating a lack of communication about this structure and its services. The majority of students favored the establishment of a medical examination during the first year at the university. CONCLUSION: Establishing a medical examination would improve health center visibility. The following services could be offered: (i) HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea screening, (ii) hepatitis B virus screening and vaccination, (iii) provision and information about contraceptive methods, (iv) presentation of the university health center services. Dedicated spaces where students could have access to information about health-related topics (e.g. sexuality, nutrition, depression) could complete the university's healthcare offer.

Paclitaxel in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus 1-associated Kaposi's sarcoma--drug-drug interactions with protease inhibitors and a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor: a case report study.

PURPOSE: To describe the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel and to investigate the interaction potential with protease inhibitors (indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir) and the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor nevirapine, for which strong theoretical indications for clinically relevant drug interactions exist. METHODS: The 24-h plasma pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel (Taxol, given at 100 mg/m2 by 3-h intravenous infusion) and concomitantly infused antiretroviral drugs were determined in a human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-infected male patient with refractory Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) during high-activity antiretroviral therapy and after discontinuation of this regimen. The plasma pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and nevirapine were closely monitored. Since all these drugs are extensively metabolized via the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and are substrates for the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein, investigation of drug-drug interactions was considered important. RESULTS: In this case report study the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel given concomitantly with various antiretroviral drugs were comparable with those of historical controls who had been treated with single-agent paclitaxel. The pharmacokinetics of indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and nevirapine were also not statistically significantly different from those recorded for historical controls. Paclitaxel was well tolerated and resulted in a significant clinical response in this patient. CONCLUSION: Dose adjustments of paclitaxel, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, or nevirapine are apparently not needed if HIV-1-associated KS is treated with paclitaxel at a dose of 100 mg/m2 as shown in the present case. It is stressed, however, that controlled studies are necessary to substantiate these preliminary case report findings.