Prevalence and correlates of alcohol and tobacco use among key populations in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate alcohol and tobacco use prevalence and their correlates among female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM) and drug users (DU) in Togo. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional bio-behavioural study was conducted among 2115 MSM, FSW and DU in 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling method, in the eight biggest towns of Togo. Selection criteria for the MSM were being male and having had oral or anal intercourse with a man in the previous 12 months; for FSW, being a female and having exchanged sex for money in the previous 12 months; and for DU, consuming heroin, cocaine or hashish for MSM, FSW and DU, respectively. All participants had to be at least 18 years old and residing in the territory for the past 3 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of alcohol consumption, hazardous/harmful consumption and binge drinking was 64.8%, 38.4% and 45.5%, respectively. Current tobacco use was reported by 30.6% of participants and HIV prevalence was estimated at 12.5%. DU were more likely to engage in binge drinking compared with other key populations (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.0; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.8; p=0.001). Participants who were identified as having hazardous/harmful alcohol consumption had almost three times the odds of tobacco consumption than those with no risky consumption (aOR=2.6; 95% CI 2.0 to 3.4; p=0.001). Hazardous/harmful alcohol consumption was three times more likely among participants with severe psychological distress compared with those with no psychological distress (aOR=3.3, 95% CI 2.2 to 5.1; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study demonstrate the need for the integration of mental health and substance abuse reduction interventions into HIV prevention programme, particularly those geared towards key populations.

Low prevalence of syphilis infection among key populations in Togo in 2017: a national cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the screening of syphilis among populations highly exposed to HIV. However, data on the prevalence of syphilis in these populations are scarce in Togo. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of syphilis among males who have sex with males (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and drug users (DU) in Togo. METHODS: A cross-sectional bio-behavioral study was conducted in August and September 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method in eight major cities in Togo. A standardized questionnaire was used to record socio-demographic data and sexual behavior patterns. A blood sample was taken and SD Bioline Duo VIH/Syphilis rapid test was used to test for HIV and syphilis. RESULTS: A total of 2158 key populations (678 MSM, 1003 FSW and 477 DU), with an average age of 27.6 years (standard deviation 8.8 years) participated in the study. Prevalence of syphilis was 0.6% (95% CI = [0.3-1.0]) with no statistical significance between the three groups: null among MSM, 0.8% among FSW (95% CI = [0.37-1.63]) and 1.1% among DU (95% CI = [0.39-2.57]). There was no relation between HIV status and syphilis (p = 0.236). Among the 298 HIV-positive people, none was diagnosed with syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study reveal a low prevalence rate of syphilis among key populations in Togo. Specific interventions into HIV prevention programs should be reinforced to eliminate syphilis in Togo.

Immunization coverage and factors associated with incomplete vaccination in children aged 12 to 59 months in health structures in Lomé.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the immunization coverage among children admitted for consultation or hospitalization in health structures of Lomé. RESULTS: A total of 797 respondent-child couples were included and 31.1% of them had their immunization cards. Complete immunization coverage was 69.3%, 95% confidence interval (65.9-72.5) and per antigen, it ranged from 83.1% for measles to 95.7% for BCG. Factors associated with incomplete immunization were the absence of immunization card (p < 0.001), respondents' sex (p < 0.001), level of education (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001) and the level of the health structure in the organization of the Togolese health system (p < 0.001). Obstacles to immunization were mainly the lack of money to pay for immunization fees (38.4%) and forgetting the immunization appointment (28.1%).