HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study

BACKGROUND: The HIV epidemic remains an important public health challenge for the sub-Saharan region. Female Sex Workers (FSW) in this region are among the most vulnerable of the key population groups with HIV prevalence as high as twice that of the general population. The aim of this study was to estimate HIV prevalence and explore sexual risk behaviors among FSW in Togo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a Respondent Driven Sampling method was conducted across the six regions of country among FSW in 2017. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to explore socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, HIV knowledge, and sexual behaviors. HIV rapid tests were used to assess HIV infection. RESULTS: A total of 1,036 FSW, with a median age of 26 years old [interquartile range (IQR): 22-33], participated in the study, with 49.2% (n = 510) of them having reached secondary school. Median age at first sexual intercourse was 20 years old [IQR: 17-25] and estimated number of clients per week was of 5 [IQR: 3-10]. A total of 936 (95.6%) reported the use of a condom during last sexual intercourse with a client and 493 (47.6%) reported the use of a condom during their last sexual intercourse with a partner or husband. HIV prevalence was 13.2% [95% CI: 11.2 - 15.4], and was associated with age (being between 26 and 32 years old; aOR = 4.5; 95% CI: [2.4 - 9.1], p < 0.0001) and ≥ 33 years old; aOR = 6.4; 95% CI [3.5 - 12.7], p < 0.0001), education level (being in primary school or less; aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: [1.1-2.6]; p = 0.012) and the number of partners per week (more than 2 and 3 partners; aOR = 2.5; 95% CI [1.2-5.2]; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors remain high among FSW in Togo, despite prevention efforts aimed at curbing this trend. Other factors, such as access and availability of condoms, the social and legal environment in which FSW operate, should be considered for HIV prevention strategies in this population

PLoS One

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe HIV testing uptake, as well as HIV prevalence and its associated factors among older adults aged ≥50 years in health facilities in Togo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2018 to June 2019 among hospitalized older adults aged ≥50 years in tertiary and secondary hospitals in Togo. HIV testing was performed according to the national algorithm. Socio-demographic data and HIV testing history were collected using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 619 patients (43.9% female) of median age 61 years, (IQR: 55-70) were recruited and offered HIV testing. Among them, 25.7% had never previously tested for HIV. In total, 91.6% (567/619) accepted HIV testing while 8.4% (52/619) refused to be tested. Of those who tested, forty patients were HIV positive, yielding a prevalence of 7.1%. Twenty-three patients (57.5%) were newly diagnosed with HIV infection. In multivariable analysis, two factors were associated with HIV infection: living alone (aOR = 5.83; 95%CI = [2.26-14.53]) and being \textbackslashtextless60 years (aOR = 3.12; 95%CI = [1.51-6.66]). CONCLUSION: The majority of older adults in this study accepted testing for HIV and almost three in five HIV positive older adults were newly diagnosed with HIV as a result of this testing. There is an urgent need to integrate older adults into responses to the HIV epidemic and to strengthen targeted prevention care and treatment in this population

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care professionals regarding dengue fever: need for training and provision of diagnostic equipment in Togo in 2022, a cross-sectional study

BackgroundHealth statistics on dengue are virtually non-existent, despite the fact that the virus is circulating in Togo. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of health professionals in the Kara health region.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2022 among healthcare professionals who had worked in the Kara region of northern Togo were selected using an exhaustive recruitment method. Data were collected by trained resident doctors with a face-to-face interview using a standardized, pretested questionnaire based on the WHO 2009 dengue guide. Three multivariate regression models were utilized to investigate factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and, and practices.ResultsA total of 464 respondents (37.1% female), median age 35 years, interquartile range (29–43 years) were included. Only (3.0%) of the participants had received training on dengue fever diagnosis, treatment and prevention in the last 3 years, and 10.3% had dengue rapid diagnostic tests available at their hospital. Half of the respondents (49.1%) had good knowledge of dengue fever, compared with 30.0% who had positive attitudes. Of a total of 256 professionals who had encountered a case of dengue fever in their practice, only 24 (9.4%) had appropriate practices for diagnosing and treating dengue fever. In multivariate analysis, the healthcare professionals who had taken part in ongoing training on dengue fever were more likely to have adequate dengue diagnosis and treatment practice aOR = 8.1; CI 95% = [1.7–36.0].ConclusionStrengthening healthcare professionals' dengue-related skills through ongoing training and the provision of dengue diagnostic tests could help improve early detection practices and management of dengue fever in Togo

COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers at Lomé international airport (Togo), in 2022

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic management leads to new health policies including the requirement of a vaccination pass or a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for cross-border flights. The objective of this study was to estimate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers, as well as factors associated with a full vaccination. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in July 2022 at the Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport (LFW) in Lomé. Travellers met at LFW, aged 12 years or above, and who agreed to participate in the study have been submitted a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with full vaccination defined as having received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine according to a validated vaccine schedule. Results: A total of 847 travellers were included. 67% were men The median age was 40 years, Interquartile Range [31-48]. The main health document presented by travellers was the vaccination pass (69.1%). The majority (84.4%) of travellers had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 63.9% had received at least two doses. Being 40 years of age or above (aOR=1.42; p=0.046), and travelling from a country outside Africa (aOR=2.18, p=0.003), were positively associated with full vaccination. Conclusion: Vaccination coverage among travellers at the LFW was relatively high. Travellers from a region outside Africa and aged 40 years or above were more likely to be full vaccinated. Better communication and strengthening of the vaccination strategies in Africa could help reduce these gaps

BMC Public Health

BACKGROUND: The extent of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in African countries is still unclear. Seroprevalence studies are a common approach to epidemiological surveillance, allowing estimation of the proportion of people who have had contact with the virus. We aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors in Togo at the national level in 2021 according to age groups, gender, and place of residence (rural or urban). METHODS: From 15 May to 31 June 2021, we conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional serological survey in 12 health districts (two districts per health region) in the > 5 years old population in Togo. The Wantai SARS-CoV-2 total antibody assay S protein receptor-binding domain-based ELISA (Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co.; Beijing, China) was used to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies in plasma. Crude and weighted seroprevalences (weighted by age, sex and place of residence) were calculated and then weighted seroprevalences were adjusted according to sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test. Finally, logistic regression models were performed in order to describe factors associated. RESULTS: Of the 7593 participants, the overall weighted and adjusted seroprevalence of total anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 65.5% (CI95%: 18.9-21.1). Urban dwellers, young adults (30-49 years) and vaccinated individuals were significantly more likely to be seropositive. CONCLUSION: The high seroprevalence we observed is consistent with observations across West Africa. Quantification of the level of immunity in the population is needed to know how close we are to herd immunity. In the meantime, vaccination against the COVID-19 remains necessary

BMC Public Health

The original publication [1] of this paper contained a typo in the abstract. The value "CI95%: 18.9–21.1" should have been "95%CI: 64.3–66.6". This was correct elsewhere in the article. The original article has been updated to correct this

Epidémiologie des amputations non traumatiques des membres inférieurs : données du registre national du Togo

International audience"Contexte : Le registre national d’amputation de membre (RNA) a été lancé au Togo le 01/01/2023 dans le but d'améliorer les connaissances sur les amputations et les maladies artérielles périphériques qui en sont la cause principale.Méthodes : Une étude utilisant des données du RNA : des données sociodémographiques, cliniques des patients sont recueillies dans toutes les formations sanitaires. Un suivi téléphonique 6 mois après la procédure d’amputation est fait pour évaluer la qualité de vie à l'aide du score SF-12.Résultats : Au total, 149 patients (60% d'hommes) ont subi une ANT-MI (âge moyen 52 ± 18 ans). Des antécédents d’hypertension artérielle (13,5%) et de tabagisme (8,1%) étaient rapportés. Parmi les amputés, 62% souffraient d’artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs et 57,7% souffraient d'ulcères diabétiques, avec la coexistence de plusieurs facteurs. La durée moyenne du séjour à l'hôpital était de 28 jours. Le taux de mortalité à l'hôpital était de 4,6%. Seulement 12,8% ont eu une échographie et 7,4% un angioscanner avant l'amputation et une procédure de revascularisation dans 10% des cas. Conclusion : En accord avec une récente étude rétrospective sur les ANT-MI au Togo, cette étude met en lumière l’ampleur de ce problème de santé publique.

Prevalence and factors associated with burnout among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Togo, June 2021

COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for increased demand for care and patient mortality, resulting in emotional and physical stress for healthcare workers (HCWs). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among HCWs in Togo during the pandemic. We conducted an online cross-sectional study from June 14 to 29, 2021 targeting HCWs in Togo. The variable of interest was burnout measured by the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Of the 523 participants, the overall burnout prevalence was 53.5% (95% CI= 49.2 - 57.9). The prevalence by burnout dimension was respectively 39.4%, 38.4% and 22.1% for personal, work-related and patient-related burnout. Our results suggest that occupational health teams should engage in the prevention, screening, and management of burnout among HCWs

Épidémiologie des amputations non traumatiques des membres inférieurs enAfrique de l'Ouest : Données nationales du Togo

International audienceIntroduction - L'amputation non traumatique d'un membre inférieur (ANT-MI), a desconséquences majeures. Les données en population générale en Afrique subsaharienne(ASS) sont rares et souvent liées à des séries monocentriques. Notre étude visait à estimerl'incidence des ANT-MI (mineures et majeures) et à décrire leurs aspects épidémiologiques,cliniques et pronostiques au Togo.Méthodes - Il s'est agi d'une étude rétrospective, menée auprès de tous les patients ayantsubi une ANT-MI. Les données sociodémographiques, cliniques et de bilan ont été recueilliesà partir des dossiers cliniques dans toutes les formations sanitaires togolaises du 01/01/2016au 31/12/2021. Les taux d'incidence par âge ont été calculés et ajustés sur l'âge.Résultats - Au total, 352 patients (59% d'hommes) ont subi une ANT-MI (âge moyen de 60 ±15,7 ans). Le taux d'incidence moyen des ANT-MI ajusté sur l'âge était de 8,5 par million/an(IC 95%= [7,6-9,4]). Le risque relatif d’ANT-MI était 48 fois plus élevé chez les diabétiques quechez les non-diabétiques. Environ 61% des ANT-MI sont survenus dans la tranche d'âge 50-74 ans et 54,3% étaient atteints de diabète sucré. Parmi les amputés, 54,5% souffraientd’artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs (AOMI) et 52,8% souffraient d'ulcèresdiabétiques, avec la coexistence de plusieurs facteurs. Seuls <5% des amputés avaient desantécédents de tabagisme. La durée moyenne du séjour à l'hôpital était de 12 jours. Le tauxde mortalité à l'hôpital était de 8,8% Seulement 18,2% ont eu une échographie et 1,7% unangioscanner avant l'amputation.Conclusion - Des interventions à grande échelle sont nécessaires pour améliorer la prise encharge du diabète et de l’AOMI et améliorer les infrastructures pour une prise en chargeoptimale des patients à risque d'amputation en Afrique

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers in Togo, West Africa

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B and C are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with prevalence among the highest in the World. However, several challenges impede the progression towards the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 as suggested by the World Health Organization Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, including the lack of knowledge on the scale of this epidemic in the region. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers (FSW) in Togo. METHODS: This ancillary study from a national cross-sectional bio-behavioral study was conducted in 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, in eight towns of Togo among FSW. Socio-demographic, behavioral and sexual characteristics were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for HIV, hepatitis B and C serological testing. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Out of the 1,036 FSW recruited for this study, biological analyses for viral hepatitis were completed for 769 of them. The median age was 26 years [IQR: 22-33] and 49.8% (n = 383) had attained secondary school. The prevalence of hepatitis B was 9.9% [95% CI: (7.9-12.2)] and the prevalence of hepatitis C was 5.3% [95% CI: (3.9-7.2)]. Higher hepatitis B and C prevalence was associated with recruitment out of Lome (aOR: 6.63; 95%CI: 3.51-13.40, p <0.001 and OR: 2.82; 95% CI: [1.37-5.99]; p<0.001, respectively) and, for hepatitis B, with never using condoms for vaginal intercourse (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: [1.02-8.71]; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study reveals high prevalence of hepatitis B and C among FSW in Togo and an opportunity for advocacy toward the introduction of immunizations and treatment in this population