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Achieving the first 95 of the UNAIDS targets requires the implementation of innovative approaches to knowing one's HIV status. Among these innovations is the provision of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits in west Africa by the international partner organization Solthis (IPO). In order to provide guidance for the optimal use of financial resources, this study aims to estimate the program and site level costs of dispensing HIVST as well as HIV testing services (HTS)-excluding HIVST-in health facilities in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal as part of the ATLAS project. We estimated from the provider's perspective, HIVST and HTS incremental costs using top-down and bottom-up costing approaches and conducted a time and motion study. We identified costs at the program level for HIVST (including IPO central costs) and at the site level for HIVST and HTS. The economic costs of distributing HIVST kits were assessed in 37 health facilities between July 2019 and March 2021 (21 months). Sensitivity analyses were also performed on unit costs to examine the robustness of our estimates related to key assumptions. In total, 16,001 HIVST kits were dispensed for 32,194 HTS sessions carried out. Program level HIVST average costs ranged $12–286, whereas site level costs ranged $4–26 across distribution channels and countries. Site level HTS costs ranged $7–8 per testing session, and ranged $72–705 per HIV diagnosis. Across countries and channels, HIVST costs were driven by personnel (27–68%) and HIVST kits (32–73%) costs. The drivers of HTS costs were personnel costs ranging between 65 and 71% of total costs across distribution channels and countries, followed by supplies costs between 21 and 30%. While program level HIVST average costs were high, site level HIVST average costs remained comparable to HTS costs in all countries. Health facility-based distribution channels operating at low volume exhibit high proportion of central costs which should be considered carefully for financial planning when run alongside high volumes mobile outreach distribution channels. HIVST can diversify the HIV testing offer at health facilities, thus improving access to screening for target populations not reached by HTS services.

HIV self-testing (HIVST) empowers individuals by allowing them to decide when and where to test and with whom to share their results. From 2019 to 2022, the ATLAS program distributed ≈ 400 000 HIVST kits in Côte d Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. It prioritised key populations, including female sex workers and men who have sex with men, and encouraged secondary distribution of HIVST to their partners, peers and clients. To preserve the confidential nature of HIVST, use of kits and HIVST results were not systematically tracked. Therefore, an anonymous phone survey was conducted to estimate HIVST positivity rates and linkage to confirmatory testing and care. This two-step survey involved an initial recruitment phase from March to June 2021 where participants were encouraged via leaflets to call a free phone number and complete a sociobehavioural questionnaire. This was followed by a second phase in September and October 2021, where participants who reported a reactive HIVST result were re-contacted to complete a further questionnaire. Of the 2 615 participants recruited during the first phase, 89.7% reported consistent results (2 visible lines and result interpreted as reactive; one line and interpreted as non-reactive; or no/one line and interpreted as invalid). HIVST positivity rates varied between 2.4% to 9.1% based on calculation methods (i.e. self-interpreted result or reported number of lines, inclusion or exclusion of don t knows and refusals). The second phase saw 78 out of 126 eligible participants complete the questionnaire. Of the 27 who reported a consistent reactive result in the first phase, 15 (56%, 95%CI: 36 to 74%) underwent confirmatory HIV testing, with 12 (80%) confirmed as HIV-positive, all of whom began antiretroviral treatment. The confirmation rate of HIVST results was fast, with 53% doing so within a week and 91% within three months of self-testing. Two-thirds (65%) went to a general public facility, and one-third to a facility dedicated to key populations. The ATLAS HIVST distribution strategy reached people living with HIV in West Africa. Linkage to confirmatory testing remained sub-optimal in these first years of HIVST implementation. However, if confirmed HIV-positive, almost all initiated treatment. HIVST constitutes a relevant complementary tool to existing screening services.

International audience; BackgroundHIV testing is a central element of the strategy to end AIDS epidemic, as status awareness is the entry point to HIV care. In West Africa, only 68% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) were aware of their HIV status in 2019. To address the testing gap, the ATLAS project distributed a total of 400000 self-tests (HIVST) in three West African countries between 2019 and 2022, including 200 000 kits in Côte d’Ivoire. The aim of this study is to assess levels and correlates of knowledge, attitude and practice towards HIV conventional testing (tests other than HIVST) and self-testing after the introduction of HIVST in Cote d’Ivoire.MethodWe conducted the population-based cross-sectional in the Bas-Sassandra District of Côte d’Ivoire, 24 months after HIVST was introduced in the region by ATLAS. ATLAS Household Survey (AHS) used a three-stage stratified sampling approach – 3 of the strata are the 3 departments with ATLAS activities and 1 includes departments with almost none, each further stratified on urban and rural settings. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in a representative a sample of the population aged 15-49. One main objective of the survey was to assess the effect of the ATLAS initiative on HIV testing.Weighed proportions and chi-square tests were used to assess knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of HIV conventional and self testing, comparing male and female on the one hand and departments with and without ATLAS HIVST distribution activities on the other hand. Logistic regressions were used to identified factors associated with knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of HIV conventional and self testing (ongoing analysis).Preliminary resultsA total of 6274 people with median age of 29 were interviewed and completed the questionnaire (3205 males and 3069 females). Most participants were in couple (44% males and 59% females) and have attended school (63% males and 45% females).Despite most participants knowing about HIV-AIDS (97 % Males and 96% females), very few reported having heard about HIVST (11% males and 10% females). However, most participants showed a positive attitude toward HIVST and reported that they would be interested/very interested to use it if freely available for themselves (75% males and 71% females), as well as for their sexual partners. About 18% of females and 10% of males reported having performed at least 1 conventional test in the last 12 months, while 3% of participants had already used a HIVST in the past.ConclusionAlthough knowledge and use of HIVST remain relatively low in the region, participants show a positive attitude toward HIVST, and express willingness to use it if freely available. Next results will tell how the observed results differ between participants living in department with ATLAS HIVST distribution and others, and how significant are the differences. It will also provide an overview of associated factors. This will provide policy makers with tools for potential actions in order to improve HIV testing and advance progress towards UNAIDS targets to achieve 95 % of PLHIV who know their status by 2025.

Background Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a highly lethal condition for which no specific treatment has proven efficacy. In September 2014, while the Ebola outbreak was at its peak, the World Health Organization released a short list of drugs suitable for EVD research. Favipiravir, an antiviral developed for the treatment of severe influenza, was one of these. In late 2014, the conditions for starting a randomized Ebola trial were not fulfilled for two reasons. One was the perception that, given the high number of patients presenting simultaneously and the very high mortality rate of the disease, it was ethically unacceptable to allocate patients from within the same family or village to receive or not receive an experimental drug, using a randomization process impossible to understand by very sick patients. The other was that, in the context of rumors and distrust of Ebola treatment centers, using a randomized design at the outset might lead even more patients to refuse to seek care. Therefore, we chose to conduct a multicenter non-randomized trial, in which all patients would receive favipiravir along with standardized care. The objectives of the trial were to test the feasibility and acceptability of an emergency trial in the context of a large Ebola outbreak, and to collect data on the safety and effectiveness of favipiravir in reducing mortality and viral load in patients with EVD. The trial was not aimed at directly informing future guidelines on Ebola treatment but at quickly gathering standardized preliminary data to optimize the design of future studies. Methods and Findings Inclusion criteria were positive Ebola virus reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) test, age ≥ 1 y, weight ≥ 10 kg, ability to take oral drugs, and informed consent. All participants received oral favipiravir (day 0: 6,000 mg; day 1 to day 9: 2,400 mg/d). Semi-quantitative Ebola virus RT-PCR (results expressed in “cycle threshold” [Ct]) and biochemistry tests were performed at day 0, day 2, day 4, end of symptoms, day 14, and day 30. Frozen samples were shipped to a reference biosafety level 4 laboratory for RNA viral load measurement using a quantitative reference technique (genome copies/milliliter). Outcomes were mortality, viral load evolution, and adverse events. The analysis was stratified by age and Ct value. A “target value” of mortality was defined a priori for each stratum, to guide the interpretation of interim and final analysis. Between 17 December 2014 and 8 April 2015, 126 patients were included, of whom 111 were analyzed (adults and adolescents, ≥13 y, n = 99; young children, ≤6 y, n = 12). Here we present the results obtained in the 99 adults and adolescents. Of these, 55 had a baseline Ct value ≥ 20 (Group A Ct ≥ 20), and 44 had a baseline Ct value < 20 (Group A Ct < 20). Ct values and RNA viral loads were well correlated, with Ct = 20 corresponding to RNA viral load = 7.7 log10 genome copies/ml. Mortality was 20% (95% CI 11.6%–32.4%) in Group A Ct ≥ 20 and 91% (95% CI 78.8%–91.1%) in Group A Ct < 20. Both mortality 95% CIs included the predefined target value (30% and 85%, respectively). Baseline serum creatinine was ≥110 μmol/l in 48% of patients in Group A Ct ≥ 20 (≥300 μmol/l in 14%) and in 90% of patients in Group A Ct < 20 (≥300 μmol/l in 44%). In Group A Ct ≥ 20, 17% of patients with baseline creatinine ≥110 μmol/l died, versus 97% in Group A Ct < 20. In patients who survived, the mean decrease in viral load was 0.33 log10 copies/ml per day of follow-up. RNA viral load values and mortality were not significantly different between adults starting favipiravir within, In the context the recent Ebola outbreak, Xavier Anglaret and colleagues test an experimental treatment, favipiravir, for Ebola virus disease in a multicenter non-randomized trial., Editors' Summary Background In 2014 and 2015, an Ebola virus outbreak larger than any known before occurred in West Africa. Ebola virus disease (EVD) is highly contagious, and many infected people die. Central to the emergency response to the recent outbreak were local Ebola treatment centers where patients were diagnosed, were isolated, and received supportive care. With thousands of patients dying and many health workers contracting the disease, fear was ubiquitous and distrust abundant. While conducting research in this environment was extremely challenging, the urgent need for treatments and the opportunity to conduct studies that could bring such treatments closer to reality was also recognized. In September 2014, WHO released a short list of existing drugs that were candidates for clinical trials among patients infected in the outbreak. Favipiravir, an antiviral drug developed in Japan for patients with severe influenza, was on the list. Why Was This Study Done? Because of the urgent need to find drugs that could reduce deaths caused by Ebola, the researchers decided to conduct a clinical trial using favipiravir in patients with EVD in Guinea. In view of the circumstances, they decided against a randomized controlled trial and instead designed a study where all participants would receive the same treatment. In randomized controlled trials only some participants receive the treatment in addition to standard care, while others serve as a control group and receive standard care only, or standard care plus a placebo. Such studies allow stronger conclusions to be drawn about whether a treatment is safe and whether it works or not. The researchers had two main reasons for this decision. First, patients from the same family or village often sought EVD treatment at the same time, and the researchers felt that it was ethically unacceptable to randomize such groups, with only some of them receiving the experimental drug. Second, the strict isolation procedures imposed to interrupt virus transmission had intensified fear in affected communities and fueled rumors of illicit drug experimentation and organ theft at the treatment centers. In this context, the researchers worried that a randomized study might increase distrust among the community and the reluctance of patients to seek care. Rather than seeking definitive answers about the safety and efficacy of favipiravir in patients with EVD, the objectives of the study as it was designed were to test the feasibility and acceptability of an emergency trial in the context of a large Ebola outbreak and to learn lessons from the experience. In addition, the researchers planned to collect data on the safety and effectiveness of favipiravir in reducing mortality and viral load in patients with EVD in the hope that their preliminary findings could improve the design of subsequent trials and the chance to provide conclusive answers. What Did the Researchers Do and Find? After 13 weeks of preparation, the trial took place from December 2014 to April 2015 at four separate Ebola treatment centers, three in rural areas and one in an urban setting. In addition to standard care (which included rehydration, antimalarial and antibacterial therapies, and medication to reduce fever, pain, and nausea), all participants were given favipiravir by mouth for ten days, at doses substantially higher than those recommended for patients with influenza. Outcomes measured were mortality, viral load changes over time (based on blood samples), and adverse events. EVD was confirmed with an assay that used patient blood and provided an estimate of the viral load, that is, of how much virus the blood contained. Because viral load was known to influence the course of EVD, the researchers analyzed the participants in two groups, namely, those with a viral load estimate above a certain threshold and those with viral load estimate below the threshold. They also used existing data from Guinean patients diagnosed with Ebola earlier in the outbreak who had received only standard care and calculated an expected mortality rate for patients above and below the viral load threshold. The researchers were able to enroll 126 participants in the trial. Of these, 111 were included in the final analysis. Of 99 adult and adolescent participants 13 years and older, 55 were in the lower viral load group and 44 in the higher viral load group. Mortality was 20% in the former and 91% in the latter. Neither mortality rate was significantly different from that of earlier patients who had received only standard care. The researchers also found that favipiravir was well tolerated. None of the patients stopped the course of treatment, vomiting following drug intake was rare, and no severe adverse events were attributed to the drug. The researchers did not see a difference in mortality between patients who reported onset of symptoms less than three days before the start of treatment and those whose symptoms had started more than three days the start of treatment. What Do these Findings Mean? The report shows that it is possible to conduct an emergency trial during an outbreak in a low-resource setting. In fact, at the time of its acceptance, this paper reported on an Ebola treatment trial larger than any other yet published. The experience described should be useful for similar undertakings in the future. The following conditions contributed to the success of the trial: close collaboration between researchers, local health officials, and affected communities on one hand, and flexibility in design, conduct, and analysis based on close monitoring and interim assessments on the other. Besides using interim results to influence the conduct and analysis of their own trial, the researchers also shared these results with the scientific community in real time, and this feedback influenced other research during the outbreak. The trial could not answer definitively whether favipiravir treatment was safe or reduced mortality in patients with EVD. The results suggest that the drug is unlikely to be beneficial for patients with very high viral loads, at least when given by itself. They also suggest that favipiravir is safe in patients with lower viral loads, and that in such patients additional efficacy studies are warranted. Intermediate analysis of various measurements in trial participants showed that the estimate of viral load from the field EVD diagnosis test is a good proxy for the actual viral load (determined after the samples were shipped to and analyzed in a reference laboratory in France) and suitable as a surrogate marker. The results also confirm that viral load is a strong predictor of mortality. Additional Information This list of resources contains links that can be accessed when viewing the PDF on a device or via the online version of the article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001967. The World Health Organization has pages on Ebola virus disease, trials of Ebola treatments and vaccines, and the current update of the list of suitable drugs for testing or use in patients infected with Ebola (originally compiled in September 2014) US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control also has information on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa

International audience; IntroductionHIV epidemics in Western and Central Africa (WCA) remain concentrated among key populations, who are often unaware of their status. HIV self-testing (HIVST) and its secondary distribution among key populations, and their partners and relatives, could reduce gaps in diagnosis coverage.We aimed to document and understand secondary HIVST distribution practices by men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), people who use drugs (PWUD); and the use of HIVST by their networks in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in 2021 involving (a) face-to-face interviews with MSM, FSW, and PWUD who received HIVST kits from peer educators (primary users) and (b) telephone interviews with people who received kits from primary contacts (secondary users). These individual interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using Dedoose software. Thematic analysis was performed.ResultsA total of 89 participants, including 65 primary users and 24 secondary users were interviewed. Results showed that HIVST were effectively redistributed through peers and key populations networks. The main reported motivations for HIVST distribution included allowing others to access testing and protecting oneself by verifying the status of partners/clients. The main barrier to distribution was the fear of sexual partners’ reactions. Findings suggest that members of key populations raised awareness of HIVST and referred those in need of HIVST to peer educators. One FSW reported physical abuse.Secondary users generally completed HIVST within two days of receiving the kit. The test was used half the times in the physical presence of another person, partly for psychological support need. Users who reported a reactive test sought confirmatory testing and were linked to care. Some participants mentioned difficulties in collecting the biological sample (2 participants) and interpreting the result (4 participants).ConclusionThe redistribution of HIVST was common among key populations, with minor negative attitudes. Users encountered few difficulties using the kits. Reactive test cases were generally confirmed. These secondary distribution practices support the deployment of HIVST to key populations, their partners, and other relatives. In similar WCA countries, members of key populations can assist in the distribution of HIVST, contributing to closing HIV diagnosis gaps.

BackgroundHIV self-testing (HIVST) is recommended by the World Health Organization as an additional HIV testing approach. Since 2019, it has been implemented in Côte d’Ivoire through the ATLAS project, including primary and secondary distribution channels. While the discreet and flexible nature of HIVST makes it appealing for users, it also makes the monitoring and estimation of the population-level programmatic impact of HIVST programs challenging. We used routinely collected data to estimate the effects of ATLAS’ HIVST distribution on access to testing, conventional testing (self-testing excluded), diagnoses, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiations in Côte d’Ivoire.MethodsWe used the ATLAS project’s programmatic data between the third quarter (Q) of 2019 (Q3 2019) and Q1 2021, in addition to routine HIV testing services program data obtained from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief dashboard. We performed ecological time series regression using linear mixed models.FindingsThe results are presented for 1000 HIVST kits distributed through ATLAS. They show a negative but nonsignificant effect of the number of ATLAS HIVST on conventional testing uptake (−190 conventional tests [95% CI: −427 to 37, p=0·10]). We estimated that for 1000 additional HIVST distributed through ATLAS, +590 [95% CI: 357 to 821, pInterpretationsSocial network-based HIVST distribution had a positive impact on access to HIV testing and diagnoses in Cote d’Ivoire. This approach offers a promising way for countries to assess the impact of HIVST programs.FundingUnitaid 2018-23-ATLASResearch in contextEvidence before this studyWe searched PubMed between November 9 and 12, 2021, for studies assessing the impact of HIVST on HIV testing, ‘conventional’ testing, HIV diagnoses and ART initiation. We searched published data using the terms “HIV self-testing” and “HIV testing”; “HIV self-testing” and “traditional HIV testing” or “conventional testing”; “HIV self-testing” and “diagnosis” or “positive results”; and “HIV self-testing” and “ART initiation” or “Antiretroviral treatment”. Articles with abstracts were reviewed. No time or language restriction was applied. Most studies were individual-based randomized controlled trials involving data collection and some form of HIVST tracking; no studies were conducted at the population level, none were conducted in western Africa and most focused on subgroups of the population or key populations. While most studies found a positive effect of HIVST on HIV testing, evidence was mixed regarding the effect on conventional testing, diagnoses, and ART initiation.Added value of this studyHIVST can empower individuals by allowing them to choose when, where and whether to test and with whom to share their results and can reach hidden populations who are not accessing existing services. Inherent to HIVST is that there is no automatic tracking of test results and linkages at the individual level. Without systematic and direct feedback to program implementers regarding the use and results of HIVST, it is difficult to estimate the impact of HIVST distribution at the population level. Such estimates are crucial for national AIDS programs. This paper proposed a way to overcome this challenge and used routinely collected programmatic data to indirectly estimate and assess the impacts of HIVST distribution in Côte d’Ivoire.Implications of all the available evidenceOur results showed that HIVST increased the overall HIV testing uptake and diagnoses in Côte d’Ivoire without significantly reducing conventional HIV testing uptake. We demonstrated that routinely collected programmatic data could be used to estimate the effects of HIVST kit distribution outside a trial environment. The methodology used in this paper could be replicated and implemented in different settings and enable more countries to routinely evaluate HIVST programming at the population level.

International audience; BACKGROUND: HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a critical testing approach particularly for reaching those at HIV risk who are hesitant or unable to access existing services. While the discreet and flexible nature of HIVST is appealing to users, these features can limit the ability for programmes to monitor and estimate the population-level impacts of HIVST implementation. This study triangulates publicly available routine programme data from Côte d'Ivoire in order estimate the effects of HIVST distribution on access to testing, conventional testing (self-testing excluded), HIV diagnoses, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiations.METHODS: We used quarterly programmatic data (Q3-2019 to Q1-2021) from ATLAS, a project that aims to promote and implement network-based HIVST distribution in West Africa, in addition to routine HIV testing services program data obtained from the PEPFAR dashboard. We performed ecological time series regression using linear mixed-models.RESULTS: Between Q3-2019 and Q1-2021, 99,353 HIVST kits were distributed by ATLAS in 78 health districts included in the analysis. The results (Table 1) show a negative but non-significant effect of the number of ATLAS HIVST on the volume of conventional tests (-190), suggesting the possibility of a slight substitution effect. Despite this, the the beneficial effect on access to testing is significant: for each 1000 HIVST distributed via ATLAS, 390 to 590 additional HIV tests were performed if 60% to 80% of HIVST are used . The effect of HIVST on HIV diagnosis was significant and positive, with 8 additional diagnoses per 1,000 HIVST distributed. No effect of HIVST was observed on ART initiations.CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a standard methodology for estimating the population-level impact of HIVST that can be used across countries. It shows that HIVST distribution was associated with increased access to HIV testing and diagnosis in Côte d'Ivoire. Wide-scale adoption of this method will improve HIVST data quality and inform evidence-based programming.

International audience; BACKGROUND: Progress towards HIV elimination in Western Africa may be hindered by diagnosis gaps among people living with HIV (PLHIV), especially among key populations (KP) such as female sex workers (FSW), their clients, and men who have sex with men (MSM). We aimed to identify largest gaps in diagnosis by risk group in Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal, and project their contribution to new HIV infections.METHODS: Deterministic models of HIV transmission/diagnosis/treatment that incorporate HIV transmission among KP were parameterized following comprehensive country-specific reviews of demographic, behavioural, HIV and intervention data. The model was calibrated to country- and group-specific empirical outcomes such as HIV incidence/prevalence, the fractions of PLHIV ever tested, diagnosed, and on treatment. We estimated the distribution of undiagnosed PLHIV by risk group in 2020 and the population-attributable-fractions (tPAFs) (i.e. fraction of new primary and secondary HIV infections 2020-2029 originating from risk groups of undiagnosed PLHIV).RESULTS: From 46% (95% UI: 38-58) to 69% (59-79) of undiagnosed PLHIV in 2020 were males, with the lowest proportion in Mali and the highest proportion in Senegal, where 41% (28-59) of undiagnosed PLHIV were MSM. Undiagnosed men are estimated to contribute most new HIV infections occurring over 2020-2029 (Table). Undiagnosed FSW and their clients contribute substantial proportions of new HIV infections in Mali, with tPAF=20% (10-36) and tPAF=43% (26-56), respectively, while undiagnosed MSM in Senegal are estimated to contribute half of new infections. A lower proportion of new HIV infections are transmitted by undiagnosed KP in Côte d'Ivoire (tPAF=21%(10-38)).CONCLUSIONS: Current HIV testing services and approaches are leaving members of KP behind. Increasing the availability of confidential HIV testing modalities in addition to traditional tests may substantially reduce gaps in HIV diagnosis and accelerate the decrease of new HIV infections in Western Africa since half of them could be transmitted by undiagnosed KP.

Ce working paper est une traduction en français de l’article suivant: Rouveau N, Ky-Zerbo O, Boye S, Simo Fotso A, d’Elbée M, Maheu-Giroux M, Silhol R, Kouassi AK, Vautier A, Doumenc-Aïdara C, Breton G, Keita A, Ehui E, Ndour CT, Boilly MC, Terris-Prestholt F, Pourette D, Desclaux A, Larmarange J for the ATLAS Team. Describing, analysing and understanding the effects of the introduction of HIV self-testing in West Africa through the ATLAS programme in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. BMC Public Health. 2021, 21, 181.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10212-1 Contexte:Le programme ATLAS vise à promouvoir et à déployer l’autodépistage du VIH (ADVIH) dans trois pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest: Côte d’Ivoire, Mali et Sénégal. Sur la période 2019-2021, en étroite collaboration avec les parte-naires nationaux de mise en œuvre de la lutte contre le sida et les communautés, ATLAS prévoit de distribuer 500 000 kits VIHST à travers huit canaux de distribution, combinant des stratégies fixes et des stratégies avancées, une distribution primaire et une distribution secondaire d’ADVIH. Tenant compte de l’épidémiologie ouest-africaine, les cibles du programme ATLAS sont les populations difficiles à atteindre: les populations clés (travailleuses de sexe, hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec des hommes et usager·e·s de drogues), leurs clients ou partenaires sexuels, les partenaires des personnes vivant avec le VIH et les patients diagnostiqués avec des infections sexuellement transmissibles et leurs partenaires. Le programme ATLAS intégrer ainsi un volet recherche ayant pour objectif d’accompagner cette mise en œuvre et de générer des connaissances sur le passage à l’échelle de l’ADVIH en Afrique de l’Ouest. L’objectif principal est de décrire, d’analyser et de comprendre les effets sociaux, sanitaires, épidémiologiques et économiques de l’introduction de l’autodépistage du VIH en Côte d’Ivoire, au Mali et au Sénégal pour améliorer l’offre de dépistage (accessibilité, efficacité, éthique). Méthodes:La recherche ATLAS est organisée en cinq work packages (WP) multidisciplinaires: WP Populations clés: enquêtes qualitatives (entretiens individuels approfondis, discussions de groupe) menées auprès des acteurs clés, des populations clés et des utilisateurs des services de dépistage du VIH. WP Dépistage des cas index: observation ethnographique de trois services de soins VIH introduisant l’ADVIH pour le dépistage du partenaire. WP Enquête coupons: une enquête téléphonique anonyme auprès des utilisateurs de l’ADVIH. WP Volet économique: analyse des coûts économiques différentiels de chaque modèle de dispensation à l’aide d’une approche descendante avec collecte des coûts programmatiques, complété par une approche ascen-dante auprès d’un échantillon de sites de dispensations de l’ADVIH, et une étude temps-mouvement auprès d’un échantillon d’agent·e·s dispensateurs. WP Modélisation: adaptation, paramétrisation et calibration d’un modèle compartimental dynamique qui prend en compte les diverses populations ciblées par le programme ATLAS et les différentes modalités et stra-tégies de dépistage. Discussion:Le programme ATLAS est la première étude complète sur l’autodépistage du VIH en Afrique de l’Ouest. Le programme ATLAS se concentre particulièrement sur la distribution secondaire de l’ADVIH. Ce protocole a été ap-prouvé par trois comités d’éthique nationaux et par le comité d’éthique de la recherche de l’OMS. Mots-clés:VIH/SIDA, autodépistage du VIH, Afrique de l’Ouest, Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali.

Ce working paper est une traduction en français de l’article suivant: Boye S, Bouaré S, Ky-Zerbo O, Rouveau N, Simo Fotso A, d’Elbée M, Silhol R, Maheu-Giroux M, Vautier A, Breton G, Keita A, Beke-lynck A, Desclaux A, Larmarange J and Pourette D (2021) Challenges of HIV Self-Test Distribution for Index Testing When HIV Status Disclosure Is Low: Preliminary Results of a Qualitative Study in Bamako (Mali) as Part of the ATLAS Project. Front. Public Health 9:653543.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.653543 Contexte: Le taux de partage du statut VIH aux partenaires est faible au Mali, un pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest avec une prévalence nationale du VIH de 1,2%. L'autodépistage du VIH (ADVIH) pourrait augmenter la couverture du dépistage chez les partenaires des personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH). Le programme AutoTest-VIH, Libre d'accéder à la connaissance de son Statut (ATLAS) a été lancé en Afrique de l'Ouest avec l'objectif de distribuer près d'un demi-million d'autotests VIH de 2019 à 2021 en Côte d'Ivoire, au Mali et au Sénégal. Le programme ATLAS intègre plusieurs activités de recherche. Cet article présente les résultats préliminaires de l’étude qualitative du programme ATLAS au Mali. Cette étude vise à améliorer notre compréhension des pratiques, des limites et des enjeux liés à la distribution des autotests VIH aux PVVIH afin qu'elles puissent proposer ces tests à leurs partenaires sexuels. Méthodes: Cette étude qualitative a été menée en 2019 dans une clinique de prise en charge du VIH à Bamako. Elle a consisté en (i) des entretiens individuels avec 8 professionnels de santé impliqués dans la distribution des autotests VIH; (ii) 591 observations de consultations médicales, y compris de consultations de services sociaux, avec des PVVIH; (iii) 7 observations de discussions de groupe de PVVIH animées par des pairs éducateurs, entretiens avec les professionnels de santé et les notes d'observation ont fait l’objet d'une analyse de contenu. Résultats: L’ADVIH a été abordé dans seulement 9% des consultations observées (51/591). Lorsque l’ADVIH était abordée, la discussion était presque toujours initiée par le professionnel de santé plutôt que par la PVVIH. La discussion sur l’ADVIH était peu fréquente car, dans la plupart des consultations, il n'était pas approprié de proposer l’ADVIH au partenaire (par exemple, lorsque les PVVIH étaient veuves, n'avaient pas de partenaire ou avaient délégué quelqu'un pour renouveler leurs ordonnances). Certaines PVVIH n'avaient pas révélé leur statut VIH à leur partenaire. La distribution de l’ADVIH prenait beaucoup de temps, et les consultations médicales étaient très courtes. Trois principaux obstacles à la distribution d’ADVIH lorsque le statut VIH n'avait pas été divulgué aux partenaires ont été identifiés: (1) la quasi-totalité des professionnels de santé évitaient de proposer l’ADVIH aux PVVIH lorsqu'ils pensaient ou savaient que les PVVIH n'avaient pas révélé leur statut VIH à leurs partenaires; (2) les PVVIH étaient réticentes à proposer l’ADVIH à leurs partenaires s'ils ne leur avaient pas révélé leur séropositivité; (3) l'utilisation des stratégies de soutien à la divulgation du statut VIH était limitée. Conclusion: Il est essentiel de renforcer les stratégies de soutien à la révélation du statut VIH+. Il est nécessaire de développer une approche spécifique pour la mise à disposition des autotests VIH pour les partenaires des PVVIH en repensant l'implication des acteurs. Cette approche doit leur permettre de bénéficier d'une formation adaptée aux problématiques liées à la (non)divulgation du statut VIH et aux inégalités de genre, et d'améliorer le conseil aux PVVIH. Mots-clés :Autodépistage du VIH, Dépistage cas index, Connaissance du statut VIH, Divulgation du statut VIH, Mali, Personnes vivant avec le VIH, Partenaires de PVVIH, Dépistage.

International audience; Objectives: To evaluate the virological response and to describe the resistance profiles in the case of failure after 6 months of first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-1-infected children living in resource-limited settings.Patients and methods: Ninety-seven HIV-1-infected children who started two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) (mainly zidovudine/lamivudine/nevirapine) in Mali were prospectively studied. Virological failure (VF) was defined as loss to follow-up, death or HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) of >400 copies/mL at 6 months. When VL was >50 copies/mL, a genotypic resistance test was performed.Results: Among the 97 children, median age at antiretroviral initiation was 31 months and the majority were in WHO clinical (77.3%) and immunological (70.1%) stage III or IV. At month 6, 44% of children had VL > 400 copies/mL (61% VF). Among the children with detectable VL, 30/37 genotypic resistance tests were available, 8 with wild-type viruses and 22 with resistance mutations (73%): 19 M184V/I, 21 NNRTI mutations and only 3 thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs) (K70R, D67N and L210W in three distinct viruses). At failure, 6/8 children with wild-type viruses had a VL of 1000 copies/mL.Conclusions: Under NNRTI-based regimens, early detection of VF could allow the reinforcement of adherence when VL was 1000 copies/mL. The low frequency of TAMs suggests that most NRTIs can be used in a second-line regimen after early failure.

International audience; ObjectifsDans le cadre de son projet d’introduction de l’auto dépistage du VIH (ADVIH), le programme ATLAS a initié une étude pour documenter les modalités de dispensation des kits d’ADVIH aux patient.e.s présentant une Infection Sexuellement Transmissible (IST) et leurs partenaires à Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire.Matériels et MéthodesUne enquête qualitative a été réalisée entre mars et août 2021 dans trois services dispensant des ADVIH auprès des patient.e.s IST: (1) consultation prénatale (CPN) ; (2) consultation générale incluant IST et (3) dispensaire IST dédié. Les données ont été collectées par (i) des observations de consultations médicales de patient·e·s IST (N=98) et (ii) des entretiens auprès de soignants impliqués dans la dispensation des kits d’ADVIH (N=18), de patient.e.s ayant reçu des kits ADVIH à proposer à leurs partenaires (N=21) et de partenaires de patientes IST ayant réalisé l’ADVIH (N=2).RésultatsLes trois services présentent des différences d’organisation du circuit du patient et des modalités de dispensation des kits d’ADVIH. En CPN, le dépistage du VIH est proposé systématiquement à toute femme enceinte lors de la première consultation. Lorsqu’une IST est diagnostiquée, un ADVIH est proposé presque systématiquement pour le partenaire (N=27/29). En consultation générale, il y a eu peu de propositions de dépistage et d’ADVIH aux patient.e.s IST et pour leurs partenaires (N=3/16). Malgré l’existence d’une délégation des tâches du dépistage et l’offre d’ADVIH, il n’y a pas de routinisation du dépistage dans ce service. Au dispensaire IST, le circuit du patient est mieux défini : diffusion de la vidéo ADVIH en salle d’attente, consultation des patient.e.s et référencement aux infirmières pour le dépistage avec proposition fréquente de kits d’ADVIH aux patient.e.s IST pour leurs partenaires (N=28/53).De manière générale, l’ADVIH est accepté lorsqu’il est proposé. Mais, la proposition de l’ADVIH aux partenaires n’est pas toujours facile, surtout pour les femmes : difficultés à aborder la question du VIH avec le conjoint, relation de couple « fragile ».Les soignants en général ont une perception positive des ADVIH, mais, ils soulignent le caractère chronophage de la dispensation des ADVIH et souhaitent une meilleure organisation : délégation des tâches (CPN).ConclusionL’organisation des consultations est déterminante : les contraintes structurelles (organisation du service, délégation des tâches) influent sur la proposition d’un dépistage VIH et l’ADVIH ne suffit pas à les lever. La proposition par les soignants d’un ADVIH pour les partenaires nécessite du temps et un accompagnement des patients.e.s. La proposition est plus systématique quand le dépistage est « routinisé » et concerne tous les patient.e.s. Quand l’ADVIH est proposé, il est en général accepté. Si l’ADVIH constitue une opportunité d’améliorer l’accès au dépistage des patient.e.s et de leurs partenaires, une intégration réussie implique d’améliorer l’organisation des services et de promouvoir la délégation des tâches.

International audience; ObjectifsL’autodépistage du VIH (ADVIH), notamment la distribution dans les réseaux des personnes en contact avec des programmes de prévention (distribution secondaire), permet de rejoindre des personnes ayant faiblement accès au dépistage. Dans le cadre du projet ATLAS, une analyse des pratiques d’utilisation et de redistribution de l’ADVIH parmi les hommes qui ont des rapports sexuels avec des hommes (HSH), les travailleuses du sexe (TS), les usagers de drogues (UD) et leurs partenaires a été réalisée en Côte d’Ivoire, au Mali et au Sénégal.Matériels et MéthodesUne enquête qualitative a été conduite de janvier à juillet 2021. Des entretiens face-à-face et par téléphone ont été réalisés avec des utilisateurꞏtrices de l’ADVIH identifiéꞏes par (i) des pairsꞏes éducateurꞏtrices HSH, TS et UD ou (ii) via une enquête téléphonique anonyme.RésultatsAu total 80 personnes ont été interviewées (65 en face-à-face, 15 par téléphone). À la première utilisation, la majorité a réalisé l’ADVIH sans la présence d’unꞏe professionnelꞏle (2/3). Ils l’ont justifié par la facilité de réalisation de l’ADVIH et l’existence d’outils de supports. La majorité a redistribué des kits d’ADVIH à des partenaires sexuelsꞏles, pairꞏes/amiꞏes, clients pour les TS et d’autres types derelations sans difficulté majeure. Leur motivation commune était l’intérêt de la connaissance du statut VIH pour l’utilisateurꞏtrice finalꞏe. Cependant vis-à-vis des partenaires sexuelsꞏles et des clients des TS, il s’agissait surtout de s’informer du statut de ce/cette dernier-ère pour décider des mesures préventives à adopter. Les réactions des utilisateurꞏtrices secondaires étaient majoritairement positives parce que ce nouvel outil répondait à une attente liée au besoin de connaître leur statut VIH, certainꞏes n’ayant par ailleurs jamais fait de dépistage VIH. Quelques cas de refus ont été rencontrés, surtout de la part des clients occasionnels pour les TS. Un cas de violence physique de la part d’un client a été rapporté.Les raisons de non-proposition de l’ADVIH à son réseau variaient suivant les catégories de populations clés et les utilisateurꞏtrices secondaires. Les trois populations clés, surtout les UD, ont rapporté des craintes de réactions négatives de certainꞏes partenaires sexuelsꞏles. Les HSH et les UD en ont moins distribué à leurs pairꞏes/amiꞏes par rapport aux partenaires sexuelꞏles parce qu’ils/elles estimaient que ceux/celles-ci étaient dans les mêmes réseaux de distribution des kits d’ADVIH et en avaient donc déjà reçus. Chez les TS, l’ADVIH était moins souvent proposé aux clients et aux partenaires qui acceptaient l’utilisation du préservatif.ConclusionLes résultats montrent une bonne acceptation de l’ADVIH tant en distribution primaire que secondaire. La redistribution de l’ADVIH dans les réseaux des populations clés peut permettre d’accroitre l’accès au dépistage parmi les populations peu dépistées, sans répercussion négative pour les personnes qui le proposent.

International audience; ObjectifsL’atteinte des « trois 95 » de l’ONUSIDA a induit l’adoption de stratégies de dépistage VIH innovantes en Afrique de l’Ouest. Le projet ATLAS déploie l’autodépistage du VIH (ADVIH) en Côte d'Ivoire (CI), au Mali (ML) et au Sénégal (SN) en stratégie avancée et fixe (Figure 1). Les stratégies fixes sont mises en oeuvre dans (i) des structures de santé fixes pour le dépistage des partenaires de personnes vivant avec le VIH (Index), et pour celui des patients ayant une Infection Sexuellement Transmissible (IST) et leurs partenaires, et (ii) dans des cliniques communautaires à destination des hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec des hommes (HSH), des travailleuses du sexe (TS) et des personnes usagères de drogues (UD). Cette étude a pour objectif d’estimer les coûts unitaires des stratégies fixes ADVIH et celui des tests de diagnostic rapide (TDR).Matériels et MéthodesL’évaluation des coûts de dispensation des ADVIH a porté sur 37 (CI=16 ; ML=11 ; SN=10) centres de santé publics et communautaires entre 2019 et 2021 suivant la perspective du fournisseur. Nous avons combiné une analyse de rapports financiers avec celle d’une collecte de coûts dans les centres complétés par des observations de sessions de dispensation ADVIH et de dépistage VIH, en excluant les coûts centraux.RésultatsAu total, 16001 kits d’ADVIH (CI=9306 ; ML=3973 ; SN=2722) ont été dispensés pour 32194 TDR réalisés (CI=8213; ML=3612; SN=20369). Les coûts unitaires moyens de l’ADVIH étaient compris entre 4$ et $8 pour la Côte d’Ivoire et le Sénégal (Tableau 1). Ces coûts étaient plus élevés au Mali, entre 7$ et 26$, liés à des coûts de personnels élevés (management/administration et agents dispensateurs HSH), ainsi que de faibles volumes de kits ADVIH dispensés pour certains canaux. En Côte d'Ivoire et au Sénégal, les coûts moyens du dépistage avec TDR ont été estimés dans l’ensemble des canaux à environ 4$ par personne testée (coûts non estimés au Mali).ConclusionDans les trois pays, les coûts moyens d’introduction des ADVIH en stratégies fixes à faible volume étaient légèrement plus élevés que ceux des TDR. L’ADVIH peut diversifier l’offre de service de dépistage au niveau des structures fixes, améliorant ainsi l’accès au dépistage des populations cibles non-atteintes par les services TDR.

International audience; ObjectifsEn Afrique de l'Ouest, les stratégies communautaires ciblant les populations clés (PC) telles que les travailleuses du sexe (TS) et les hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec des hommes (HSH) ont considérablement amélioré leur accès au dépistage du VIH. Cependant, il demeure difficile d’atteindre une partie de ces populations (TS occasionnelles, HSH « cachés ») et leurs réseaux (pairs, partenaires sexuels, clients).Les kits d'autodépistage du VIH (ADVIH) peuvent être distribués aux PC pour leur usage personnel mais également pour une distribution secondaire à leurs pairs, partenaires et proches.Depuis 2019, le programme ATLAS met en œuvre une telle stratégie en Côte d'Ivoire, au Mali et au Sénégal, notamment auprès des TS et des HSH.Matériels et MéthodesAfin de préserver la confidentialité et l’anonymat que procure l’ADVIH tout en documentant le profil des utilisateurs, une enquête téléphonique a été réalisée. Entre mars et juin 2021, des dépliants ont été distribués avec les kits d’ADVIH, invitant les utilisateurs à appeler un numéro de téléphone de manière anonyme et gratuite (avec une incitation de 2000 CFA de crédit téléphonique). Chaque dépliant comportait un numéro de participation unique permettant d'identifier anonymement le canal de distribution.RésultatsAu total, 1305 participants ont été recrutés dans le canal de distribution TS et 1100 dans celui HSH dans les trois pays, sur un total de 44 598 kits d’ADVIH distribués (taux de participation : 5,4%).69% ont reçu leur kit d’un pair-éducateur ou d’un agent de santé, et 31% l'ont reçu d'un ami (17%), partenaire sexuel (7%), parent (6%) ou collègue (1%).Pour les ADVIH distribués via les TS, 48% des participants étaient des hommes, et pour ceux via les HSH, 9% étaient des femmes. Ceci montre la capacité de l'ADVIH à atteindre les partenaires sexuels des PC et les clients des TS. Seuls 50% des participants masculins du canal de distribution HSH ont déclaré à l’enquêteur avoir déjà eu des rapports sexuels avec un homme.Un tiers des participantes du canal de distribution TS et 45% des participants masculins du canal HSH étaient des primo-testeurs. Les proportions de ceux dont le dernier test VIH remontait à plus d'un an étaient respectivement de 24% et 14%. Ces proportions sont plus élevées que celles observées dans des enquêtes menées auprès de TS et de HSH dans les mêmes pays.Une enquête complémentaire (rappels téléphoniques) a été menée auprès de celles et ceux ayant rapporté un test réactif afin de documenter le lien vers la confirmation et les soins. Les résultats de ces rappels seront disponibles début 2022.ConclusionL'ADVIH est une offre complémentaire permettant d’augmenter l’accès au dépistage des PC peu atteintes via les stratégies conventionnelles. La distribution secondaire des ADVIH est faisable et acceptable. Elle a le potentiel d'atteindre, au-delà des populations-clés elles-mêmes, d’autres populations périphériques et vulnérables au VIH.

International audience

Background: In West Africa, female sex workers are at increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. HIV self-testing could be an effective tool to improve access to and frequency of HIV testing to female sex workers, their clients and partners. This article explores their perceptions regarding HIV self-testing use and the redistribution of HIV self-testing kits to their partners and clients. Methods: Embedded within ATLAS, a qualitative study was conducted in Côte-d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal in 2020. Nine focus group discussions were conducted. A thematic analysis was performed. Results: A total of 87 participants expressed both positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing and their willingness to use or reuse HIV self-testing. HIV self-testing was perceived to be discreet, confidential, and convenient. HIV self-testing provides autonomy from testing by providers and reduces stigma. Some perceived HIV self-testing as a valuable tool for testing their clients who are willing to offer a premium for condomless sex. While highlighting some potential issues, overall, female sex workers were optimistic about linkage to confirmatory testing following a reactive HIV self-testing. Female sex workers expressed positive attitudes toward secondary distribution to their partners and clients, although it depended on relationship types. They seemed more enthusiastic about secondary distribution to their regular/emotional partners and regular clients with whom they had difficulty using condoms, and whom they knew enough to discuss HIV self-testing. However, they expressed that it could be more difficult with casual clients; the duration of the interaction being too short to discuss HIV self-testing, and they fear violence and/or losing them. Conclusion: Overall, female sex workers have positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing use and are willing to redistribute to their regular partners and clients. However, they are reluctant to promote such use with their casual clients. HIV self-testing can improve access to HIV testing for female sex workers and the members of their sexual and social network.

International audience; Objectives: We estimate the effects of ATLAS's HIV self-testing (HIVST) kit distribution on conventional HIV testing, diagnoses, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiations in Cote d'Ivoire. Design: Ecological study using routinely collected HIV testing services program data. Methods: We used the ATLAS's programmatic data recorded between the third quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2021, in addition to data from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief dashboard. We performed ecological time series regression using linear mixed models. Results are presented per 1000 HIVST kits distributed through ATLAS. Results: We found a negative but nonsignificant effect of the number of ATLAS' distributed HIVST kits on conventional testing uptake (-190 conventional tests; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -427 to 37). The relationship between the number of HIVST kits and HIV diagnoses was significant and positive (+8 diagnosis; 95% CI: 0 to 15). No effect was observed on ART initiation (-2 ART initiations; 95% CI: -8 to 5). Conclusions: ATLAS' HIVST kit distribution had a positive impact on HIV diagnoses. Despite the negative signal on conventional testing, even if only 20% of distributed kits are used, HIVST would increase access to testing. The methodology used in this paper offers a promising way to leverage routinely collected programmatic data to estimate the effects of HIVST kit distribution in real-world programs.

Background: A third of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Western Africa are not diagnosed, hindering progress towards HIV elimination. Scaling-up HIV self-testing (HIVST) among key populations (KP) such as female sex workers (FSW), their clients, and men who have sex with men (MSM), may further curb HIV transmission in this region. Using data from the ATLAS program in Côte d’Ivoire, we projected the potential impact of a national HIVST strategy among KP in the country.Methods: A deterministic model of HIV transmission and different testing modalities among key and lower-risk populations was parameterized following a review of demographic, behavioural, HIV and intervention data of the epidemic in Côte d’Ivoire over time. The model was then calibrated to empirical outcomes, including HIV prevalence, the fractions of PLHIV ever HIV tested, diagnosed, and treated, by risk group. Based on interim ATLAS HIVST programme data among KP in southern Côte d’Ivoire, we assumed that 440,000 HIVST are distributed annually (i.e. 10% of all tests in the country), including 29%, 22%, 32%, and 18% to FSW, their clients, MSM, and lower-risk populations, respectively. We predicted the potential impact of this HIVST strategy on new HIV infections and deaths, and new diagnoses over 10 years.Results: After 10 years, the HIVST strategy is expected to increase the fraction of all PLHIV diagnosed by 18%-points in both FSW (86% vs 69% without HIVST) and MSM (95% vs 77%), resulting in small increases overall (85% vs 83%). Overall, this strategy may avert 10,800 (5,100-24,200) new HIV infections over 10 years; equivalent to one infection averted per 400 HIVST distributed. This corresponds to a relative decrease in new infections of 10% (5-17%), 9% (4-21%), and 32% (23-48%) among FSW, their clients, and MSM, respectively, and 5% (3-10%) overall. However, given the larger population size, two-thirds (63%; 44-78%) of all infections prevented over 10 years were among all lower-risk populations, reflecting the indirect effects of prioritizing KP. HIV mortality among FSW and MSM may be reduced by around 15% over 10 years, vs 4% among FSW clients and 2% overall (i.e. 2700 (1400-5600) total deaths averted).Conclusions and recommendations: A national HIVST strategy may prevent 3-10% of new HIV infections in Côte d’Ivoire, especially among FSW clients and MSM. This would help reduce disparities in HIV burden by reaching key populations and addressing their unmet treatment needs.

International audience; Abstract Background Due to the discreet and private nature of HIV self-testing (HIVST), it is particularly challenging to monitor and assess the impacts of this testing strategy. To overcome this challenge, we conducted a study in Côte d’Ivoire to characterize the profile of end users of HIVST kits distributed through the ATLAS project ( AutoTest VIH, Libre d’Accéder à la connaissance de son Statut ). Feasibility was assessed using a pilot phone-based survey. Methods The ATLAS project aims to distribute 221300 HIVST kits in Côte d’Ivoire from 2019 to 2021 through both primary (e.g., direct distribution to primary users) and secondary distribution (e.g., for partner testing). The pilot survey used a passive recruitment strategy—whereby participants voluntarily called a toll-free survey phone number—to enrol participants. The survey was promoted through a sticker on the HIVST instruction leaflet and hotline invitations and informal promotion by HIVST kit-dispensing agents. Importantly, participation was not financially incentivized, even though surveys focussed on key populations usually use incentives in this context. Results After a 7-month period in which 25,000 HIVST kits were distributed, only 42 questionnaires were completed. Nevertheless, the survey collected data from users receiving HIVST kits via both primary and secondary distribution (69% and 31%, respectively). Conclusion This paper provides guidance on how to improve the design of future surveys of this type. It discusses the need to financial incentivize participation, to reorganize the questionnaire, the importance of better informing and training stakeholders involved in the distribution of HIVST, and the use of flyers to increase the enrolment of users reached through secondary distribution.

International audience; Background: The ATLAS program promotes and implements HIVST in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. Priority groups include members of key populations—female sex workers (FSW), men having sex with men (MSM), and people who use drugs (PWUD)—and their partners and relatives. HIVST distribution activities, which began in mid-2019, were impacted in early 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This article, focusing only on outreach activities among key populations, analyzes quantitative, and qualitative program data collected during implementation to examine temporal trends in HIVST distribution and their evolution in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis. Specifically, we investigated the impact on, the adaptation of and the disruption of field activities.Results: In all three countries, the pre-COVID-19 period was marked by a gradual increase in HIVST distribution. The period corresponding to the initial emergency response (March-May 2020) witnessed an important disruption of activities: a total suspension in Senegal, a significant decline in Côte d'Ivoire, and a less pronounced decrease in Mali. Secondary distribution was also negatively impacted. Peer educators showed resilience and adapted by relocating from public to private areas, reducing group sizes, moving night activities to the daytime, increasing the use of social networks, integrating hygiene measures, and promoting assisted HIVST as an alternative to conventional rapid testing. From June 2020 onward, with the routine management of the COVID-19 pandemic, a catch-up phenomenon was observed with the resumption of activities in Senegal, the opening of new distribution sites, a rebound in the number of distributed HIVST kits, a resurgence in larger group activities, and a rebound in the average number of distributed HIVST kits per primary contact.Conclusions: Although imperfect, the program data provide useful information to describe changes in the implementation of HIVST outreach activities over time. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIVST distribution among key populations was visible in the monthly activity reports. Focus groups and individual interviews allowed us to document the adaptations made by peer educators, with variations across countries and populations. These adaptations demonstrate the resilience and learning capacities of peer educators and key populations.

BACKGROUND: HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a way to improve HIV status knowledge and access to HIV testing. Since 2019, the ATLAS project has introduced, promoted, and delivered HIVST in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal, in particular among female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who use drugs (PWUD), these key populations being particularly vulnerable to HIV and stigmatized in West Africa. Stakeholders involved in HIV testing activities targeting key populations are essential for the deployment of HIVST. Here, we analyze their perceptions of the introduction of HIVST in their countries.METHODS: A qualitative survey was conducted from September to November 2019 within three months of HIVST distribution initiation. Individual interviews were conducted with 60 stakeholders (Côte d'Ivoire, 19; Mali, 20; Senegal, 21). Semi-structured interviews were recorded, translated when necessary, and transcribed. Data were coded using Dedoose"© software for thematic analyses.RESULTS: In the three countries, stakeholders express enthusiasm and willingness to introduce HIVST for several reasons. HIVST is considered able to reduce stigma, preserve anonymity and confidentiality, especially for MSM and PWUD; reach key populations that do not access testing via usual strategies and HIV+ key populations; remove spatial barriers; save time for providers and users, notably for FSW; and empower users with autonomy and responsibility. HIVST is noninvasive and easy to use. Secondary distribution of HIVST seems appropriate for reaching partners of MSM, with confidentiality. However, stakeholders expressed doubts about key populations' ability, particularly PWUD, to correctly use HIVST kits, ensure quality secondary distribution, accept a reactive test result, and use confirmation testing and care services. They also mentioned that FSW might have difficulties redistributing HIVST to their clients and partners.CONCLUSIONS: HIVST is considered an attractive strategy to improve access to HIV testing for key populations. The doubts about users' capacities could be a matter of reflective communication with stakeholders before HIVST implementation in other western African countries.

International audience; Despite significant progress on the proportion of individuals who know their HIV status in 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (76%), Senegal (78%), and Mali (48%) remain far below, and key populations (KP) including female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who use drugs (PWUD) are the most vulnerable groups with a HIV prevalence at 5–30%. HIV self-testing (HIVST), a process where a person collects his/her own specimen, performs a test, and interprets the result, was introduced in 2019 as a new testing modality through the ATLAS project coordinated by the international partner organisation Solthis (IPO). We estimate the costs of implementing HIVST through 23 civil society organisations (CSO)-led models for KP in Côte d'Ivoire (N = 7), Senegal (N = 11), and Mali (N = 5). We modelled costs for programme transition (2021) and early scale-up (2022–2023). Between July 2019 and September 2020, a total of 51,028, 14,472, and 34,353 HIVST kits were distributed in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali, respectively. Across countries, 64–80% of HIVST kits were distributed to FSW, 20–31% to MSM, and 5–8% to PWUD. Average costs per HIVST kit distributed were $15 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $13, Senegal: $17, Mali: $16), $23 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $15, Senegal: $27, Mali: $28), and $80 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $16, Senegal: $144), driven by personnel costs (47–78% of total costs), and HIVST kits costs (2–20%). Average costs at scale-up were $11 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $13, Mali: $10), $16 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $23, Mali: $17), and $32 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $14, Senegal: $50). Cost reductions were mainly explained by the spreading of IPO costs over higher HIVST distribution volumes and progressive IPO withdrawal at scale-up. In all countries, CSO-led HIVST kit provision to KP showed relatively high costs during the study period related to the progressive integration of the programme to CSO activities and contextual challenges (COVID-19 pandemic, country safety concerns). In transition to scale-up and integration of the HIVST programme into CSO activities, this model shows large potential for substantial economies of scale. Further research will assess the overall cost-effectiveness of this model.

Background The ATLAS programme aims to promote and implement HIV self-testing (HIVST) in three West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. During 2019–2021, in close collaboration with the national AIDS implementing partners and communities, ATLAS plans to distribute 500,000 HIVST kits through eight delivery channels, combining facility-based, community-based strategies, primary and secondary distribution of HIVST. Considering the characteristics of West African HIV epidemics, the targets of the ATLAS programme are hard-to-reach populations: key populations (female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and drug users), their clients or sexual partners, partners of people living with HIV and patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections and their partners. The ATLAS programme includes research support implementation to generate evidence for HIVST scale-up in West Africa. The main objective is to describe, analyse and understand the social, health, epidemiological effects and cost-effectiveness of HIVST introduction in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal to improve the overall HIV testing strategy (accessibility, efficacy, ethics). Methods ATLAS research is organised into five multidisciplinary workpackages (WPs): Key Populations WP: qualitative surveys (individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions) conducted with key actors, key populations, and HIVST users.Index testing WP: ethnographic observation of three HIV care services introducing HIVST for partner testing.Coupons survey WP: an anonymous telephone survey of HIVST users.Cost study WP: incremental economic cost analysis of each delivery model using a top-down costing with programmatic data, complemented by a bottom-up costing of a representative sample of HIVST distribution sites, and a time-motion study for health professionals providing HIVST.Modelling WP: Adaptation, parameterisation and calibration of a dynamic compartmental model that considers the varied populations targeted by the ATLAS programme and the different testing modalities and strategies. Discussion ATLAS is the first comprehensive study on HIV self-testing in West Africa. The ATLAS programme focuses particularly on the secondary distribution of HIVST. This protocol was approved by three national ethic committees and the WHO’s Ethical Research Committee. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10212-1.

Background: The ATLAS project aims to promote the use of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. In order to ensure accurate HIVST use, it was necessary to evaluate if the manufacturer’s Instructions-For-Use (IFUs), standardized at the international level, provides complete, accessible and adapted information in the 3 countries’ contexts.Materials & Methods: In December 2018, cognitive interviews were conducted with 64 participants, mostly Men who have Sex with Men (40,6%) and Female Sex Workers (43,8%) in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. Among them, 17,2 % never performed HIV test before and 38% of participants cannot read. They were invited to perform an oral HIVST (OraQuick®) and were requested, at each step of the procedure to share their understanding of the IFU for HIVST use, of the result interpretation and of related actions to be taken. All participants had in hands the manufacturer's IFUs in French, including the free national hotline number. Half of them additionally received manufacturer's demonstration video translated into local languages. Directive interviews guide included 50 questions to collect participants’ perception of what was missing or unclear in the supporting tools. The methodology was validated with all national AIDS programmes and ministries of health.Results: Out of 64 HIVST performed, 5 results were positive (7,8%) and confirmed with additional tests. Overall, the IFU was well understood: 58 participants (92%) were able to interpret their HIVST result correctly without assistance. However, some misuses were observed at various stages, particularly for people who cannot read, with some instructions misunderstood or perceived as not adapted. Only participants who can read have access to information as “do not eat” or “do not use the test if you are on ART” as it is not illustrated in the IFUs. Most of the participants did not spontaneously identify the promotion of the free hotline number and/or the link to the demonstration video. Some procedure’s steps were misinterpreted: 7 participants (11%) did not swab correctly the flat pad along the gum, 3 participants (5%) have read the result at inaccurate time (at 20 seconds, at 5 minutes or after 40 minutes), 13 participants (20%) did not put the stand (for the tube including the liquid) in the right way and 8 other participants struggled to slide tube into the stand. Among 42 participants who can not read and/or who had not seen the video beforehand, 14 of them (33%) had at least one difficulty to interpret the result or to understand what to do after the test/result. On the other hand, the results of the cognitive interviews showed that demonstration video provides a real added value to the user’s understanding and accurate HIVST use (31 participants out of 32 found it very easy to understand with 9 of them who felt they do not need the IFUs if they previously watched the demonstration video). The video translation into local languages, produced by the ATLAS project, was very much appreciated by the participants.Conclusion: The manufacturer's IFUs alone appear not to be sufficient in a multilingual, low-literacy context to ensure accurate HIVST use. Access to additional supporting tools (complementary leaflet, demonstration video or free hotline) is essential in the 3 countries’ contexts.

International audience; Background: The ATLAS project introduced HIV self-testing (HIVST) in consultations of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at public health facilities in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal for secondary distribution to their partners. Preliminary data from a qualitative study (observations of consultations, interviews with distributing agents) carried out in two clinics in Mali highlight implementation challenges associated with the counselling on self-testing and kit distribution currently done by the medical staff (doctor/nurse) and reported time-consuming. While implementation teams are considering the possibility of delegating certain tasks, it is important to consider the cost of alternative delivery models.Materials & Methods: We analysed preliminary economic costs data for the provision of rapid HIV testing services (HTS) (analysis period: October 2018 – September 2019) and HIVST services (August 2019 – October 2019) in these same two Malian clinics. Above service level costs are excluded. We then modelled the costs of provision using alternative cadres of medical and non-medical staff (psychosocial counsellors/peer educators) and the consumables used to simulate task shifting scenarios for the provision of HTS and HIVST services. The three scenarios correspond to 1. partial delegation: individual counselling done by non-medical staff and HIVST distribution by the medical staff ; 2. total delegation: individual counselling and distribution done by non-medical staff only; and 3. total delegation with group counselling: where group counselling and distribution are done by non-medical staff only.Results: Findings show that the unit costs per HIVST provided for the observed model are 58% higher than those of a conventional rapid test: $7,50 and $4.75, respectively. The costs are less high in scenarios of partial ($5.45, +15%) or total ($5.29, +11%) delegation but always higher than those of a rapid test due to the greater costs of consumables (HIVST kit). Finally, in the case where counselling on self-testing were carried out in a group, the costs per kit provided ($4.44, -6%) would become slightly lower than those of a rapid test, where counselling is always done individually.Conclusion: Task delegation from medical to non-medical staff can generate substantial cost savings. These preliminary results can guide the implementation strategy of HIVST in care consultations, to ensure sustainability from early introduction through scale-up.

Research component of the ATLAS programmeThe ATLAS programme (2019-2021) aims to promote and deploy HIV self-testing (HIVST) in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal and to distribute half a million HIVST through various delivery channels, targeting in particular key populations (sex workers, men who have sex with men, drug users), partners of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and patients with sexually transmitted infections. The dispensation of HIVST will be carried out in routine care, through the three countries' national AIDS strategies and in an integrated manner with existing screening policies, through eight delivery channels combining fixed and advanced strategies, primary distribution and secondary distribution. The research component presented here includes a set of observational surveys to describe, analyze and understand the social, health, epidemiological and economic effects of the introduction of HIVST in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal to improve testing offer (accessibility, effectiveness and ethics). It is organized into 5 work packages: (i) a qualitative survey on HIVST targeted key populations, based on qualitative individual and group interviews with key implementers, members of key population communities and HIVST users; (ii) an ethnography on the integration of HIVST for screening of PLHIV’s partners in three HIV care clinics and an exploratory sub-survey on HIVST distribution in STI consultations; (iii) an anonymous telephone survey of HIVST users recruited through an invitation on HIVST kits to call a toll-free number; (iv) an economic survey of HIVST incremental costs with cost collections from a sample of HIVST dispensing sites and a time and motion study; (v) an epidemiological modelling (dynamic compartmental model) of the three countries and of the health and economic impacts of different scaling scenarios.; Volet recherche du programme ATLASLe programme ATLAS (2019-2021) vise à promouvoir et à déployer l’autodépistage du VIH (ADVIH) en Côte d’Ivoire, au Mali et au Sénégal et prévoit la distribution d’un demi millions d’autotests à travers différents canaux de dispensation, visant en particulier les populations clés (travailleuses du sexe, hommes ayant des rapports sexuels avec des hommes, usager·e·s de drogues), les partenaires des personnes vivant avec le VIH (PvVIH) et les patient·e·s atteint·e·s d’une infection sexuellement transmissible. La dispensation des kits d’ADVIH sera réalisée en soins courants, dans le cadre des stratégies nationales de lutte contre le sida des trois pays et de manière intégrée aux politiques de dépistage déjà en place, à travers huit canaux de dispensation combinant des stratégies fixes et des stratégies avancées, une distribution primaire et une distribution secondaire. Le volet recherche présenté ici comporte un ensemble d’enquêtes observationnelles visant à décrire, analyser et comprendre les effets sociaux, sanitaires, épidémiologiques et économiques de l’introduction de l’autodépistage du VIH en Côte d’Ivoire, au Mali et au Sénégal pour améliorer l’offre de dépistage (accessibilité, efficacité et éthique). Il est organisé en 5 paquets d’activités : (i) une enquête qualitative sur l’ADVIH auprès des populations clés reposant sur des entretiens qualitatifs individuels et de groupes auprès d’acteurs clés de la mise en œuvre, de membres des communautés de populations clés et d’utilisatrices et utilisateurs de l’ADVIH ; (ii) une ethnographie portant sur l’intégration de l’ADVIH pour le dépistage des partenaires de PvVIH dans trois sites de prise en charge du VIH et une sous enquête exploratoire portant sur la diffusion de l’ADVIH à travers les consultations IST ; (iii) une enquête téléphonique anonyme auprès des utilisatrices et utilisateurs de l’ADVIH recruté·e·s via une invitation à appeler un numéro vert apposée sur les kits d’ADVIH distribués ; (iv) une enquête économique des coûts incrémentiels de l’ADVIH avec une collecte des coûts auprès d’un échantillon de sites de dispensation de l’ADVIH et une étude des temps et mouvements ; (v) une modélisation épidémiologique (modèle compartimental dynamique) des trois pays et des impacts sanitaires et économiques de différents scénarios de passage à l’échelle.

International audience; We have read with interest the study published by Shoufri et al. [1] and share the idea that the current application of the WHO viral load algorithm does not allow for effective management of patients with virological failure, whereas the emergence of HIV drug resistance, so-called the fourth HIV epidemic, is obvious [2]. We would like to provide some comments based on our experience in implementing viral load in the framework of the OPP-ERA project, which implements an open viral load platform technique in West and Central Africa (WCA). First, we regret that data from WCA have not been included, as too often in research, when this region represents a quarter of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, which makes these conclusions less generalizable at the sub-Saharan African level. In WCA, primary non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors resistance data are currently lower than in East and Southern Africa [3]. In the framework of the OPP-ERA project, adherence strengthening targeting more than 9000 patients with viral load at least 1000 copies/ml in Guinea and Burundi made it possible to obtain a viral load less than 1000 copies/ml in 50% of cases, avoiding unjustified use of second line (personal data).

International audience

International audience

System resilience has long been an area of study, and the term has become increasingly used across different sectors. Studies on resilience in health systems are more recent, multiplying particularly since the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for national governments to increase the resilience of their health systems. Concepts help define research objects and guide the analysis. Yet, to be useful, concepts need to be clear and precise. We aimed to improve the conceptual understanding of health systems resilience by conducting a scoping review to describe the state of knowledge in this area. We searched for literature in 10 databases, and analyzed data using a list of themes. We evaluated the clarity and the precision of the concept of health systems resilience using Daigneault & Jacob's three dimensions of a concept: term, sense, and referent. Of the 1091 documents initially identified, 45 met the inclusion criteria. Term: multiple terms are used, switching from one to the other to speak about the same subject. Sense: there is no consensus yet on a unique definition. Referent: the magnitude and nature of events that resilient health systems face differ with context, covering a broad range of situations from sudden crisis to everyday challenges. The lack of clarity in this conceptualization hinders the expansion of knowledge, the creation of reliable analytical tools, and the effectiveness of communication. The current conceptualization of health systems resilience is too scattered to enable the enhancement of this concept with great potential, opening a large avenue for future research.

Correction:15 Apr 2014: The PLOS ONE Staff (2014) Correction: Persistent Difficulties in Switching to Second-Line ART in Sub-Saharan Africa — A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 9(4): e95820. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0095820; International audience; Objectives: Switching to second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) largely depends on careful clinical assessment and access to biological measurements. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the incidence of switching to second-line ART in sub-Saharan Africa and its main programmatic determinants.Methods: We searched 2 databases for studies reporting the incidence rate of switching to second-line ART in adults living in sub-Saharan Africa. Data on the incidence rate of switching were pooled, and random-effect models were used to evaluate the effect of factors measured at the programme level on this incidence rate.Results: Nine studies (157,340 patients) in 21 countries were included in the meta-analysis. All studies considered patients under first-line ART and conditions to initiate ART were similar across studies. Overall, 3,736 (2.4%) patients switched to second-line ART. Incidence rate of switch was in mean 2.65 per 100 person-years (PY) (95% confidence interval: 2.01-3.30); it ranged from 0.42 to 4.88 per 100 PY and from 0 to 4.80 per 100 PY in programmes with and without viral load monitoring, respectively. No factors measured at the programme level were associated with the incidence rate of switching to second-line ART.Conclusion: The low incidence rate of switching to second-line ART suggests that the monitoring of patients under ART is challenging and that access to second-line ART is ineffective; efforts should be made to increase access to second-line ART to those in need by providing monitoring tools, education and training, as well as a more convenient regimen.

International audience

International audience; In sub-Saharan Africa, while antiretroviral therapy (ART) becomes widely available, access to biological measurements to monitor patients under ART remains scarce, making the management of ART difficult. We described the management of switching to second-line ART where HIV care is provided mainly in secondary health-care structures, in the region of Segou, Mali. Of 865 patients, followed under ART for a median time of 15 months, 40 switched to second-line ART (3.3 switches/100 person years). Reason for switching was failure in 18 patients (after 21 months in median) and severe intolerance in 13 (after three months in median). Switching to second-line ART occurred earlier when motivated by intolerance than by failure. The low rate of switch compares well with other studies, but was low compared to the expected rate of failure, and may indicate that physicians are reluctant to switch ART when treatment options are limited.

BackgroundIn developing countries, malnutrition is a contributing factor in over 50% of child deaths. Mortality rates are higher in underweight children, and HIV-infection is known to increase underweight. Our goals were to evaluate the prevalence of HIV among children hospitalised for severe malnutrition (SM) at the Niamey national hospital (Niger), and to compare renutrition and mortality by HIV-status.MethodsRetrospective study based on all children ResultsDuring the study period, 477 children were hospitalised for SM. HIV testing was accepted in 470 (98.5%), of which 40 were HIV+ (HIV prevalence (95% confidence interval) of 8.6% (6.2-11.5)). Duration of renutrition was longer in HIV+ than HIV- children (mean: 22 vs. 15 days; p = 0.003). During renutrition, 8 (20%) and 61 (14%) HIV+ and HIV- children died, respectively (p = 0.81).ConclusionAround 9% of children hospitalised for severe malnutrition were HIV infected, while in Niger HIV prevalence in adults is estimated at 0.8%. This pleads for wider access to HIV testing in this population.

Background: Advanced HIV in young people living with HIV is an increasingly pressing public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite global progress in early HIV testing and reducing HIV-related deaths, many young people with HIV continue to experience HIV disease progression in sub-Saharan Africa. This study provides an overview of the prevalence, clinical manifestations, and factors associated with advanced HIV in young people seeking medical services in a major hospital in Sierra Leone., Methods: We used a cross-sectional design to collect data from HIV patients aged 15 to 24 years at a major hospital in Sierra Leone between September 2022 and March 2023. Advanced HIV was defined as (i) CD4+ below 200 cells/mm3 or (ii) WHO clinical stage 3 or 4. Logistic regression models determined the association between observable independent characteristics and advanced HIV. The statistical significance level was set at 0.05 for all statistical tests., Results: About 40% (231/574) of patients were recruited; 70.6% (163/231) were inpatients, and 29.4% (68/231) were outpatients. The mean age was approximately 21.6 years (SD ±2.43). The overall prevalence of advanced HIV was 42.9% (99/231), 51.5% (35/68) of outpatients, and 39.3% (64/163) of inpatients. Age of inpatients (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.00-1.52; p= 0.047) was associated with a higher risk. Female sex (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28-0.94; p= 0.030), higher education (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10 - 0.78; p= 0.015), and Body Mass (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.77; p= 0.028) were at lower risk of advance HIV. Common conditions diagnosed in this population are tuberculosis (13.58%), hepatitis B (6.13%), Kaposi sarcoma (3.07%), and esophageal candidiasis (2.45%)., Conclusion: We reported a high prevalence of advanced HIV among young patients in a referral Hospital in Sierra Leone. This emphasises the need to strengthen public health measures and policies that address challenges of access to HIV services.