Summary Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes were first implemented in several countries worldwide in 2007. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the population-level consequences and herd effects after female HPV vaccination programmes, to verify whether or not the high efficacy reported in randomised controlled clinical trials are materialising in real-world situations. Methods We searched the Medline and Embase databases (between Jan 1, 2007 and Feb 28, 2014) and conference abstracts for time-trend studies that analysed changes, between the pre-vaccination and post-vaccination periods, in the incidence or prevalence of at least one HPV-related endpoint: HPV infection, anogenital warts, and high-grade cervical lesions. We used random-effects models to derive pooled relative risk (RR) estimates. We stratified all analyses by age and sex. We did subgroup analyses by comparing studies according to vaccine type, vaccination coverage, and years since implementation of the vaccination programme. We assessed heterogeneity across studies using I2 and χ2 statistics and we did trends analysis to examine the dose–response association between HPV vaccination coverage and each study effect measure. Findings We identified 20 eligible studies, which were all undertaken in nine high-income countries and represent more than 140 million person-years of follow-up. In countries with female vaccination coverage of at least 50%, HPV type 16 and 18 infections decreased significantly between the pre-vaccination and post-vaccination periods by 68% (RR 0·32, 95% CI 0·19–0·52) and anogenital warts decreased significantly by 61% (0·39, 0·22–0·71) in girls 13–19 years of age. Significant reductions were also recorded in HPV types 31, 33, and 45 in this age group of girls (RR 0·72, 95% CI 0·54–0·96), which suggests cross-protection. Additionally, significant reductions in anogenital warts were also reported in boys younger than 20 years of age (0·66 [95% CI 0·47–0·91]) and in women 20–39 years of age (0·68 [95% CI 0·51–0·89]), which suggests herd effects. In countries with female vaccination coverage lower than 50%, significant reductions in HPV types 16 and 18 infection (RR 0·50, 95% CI 0·34–0·74]) and in anogenital warts (0·86 [95% CI 0·79–0·94]) occurred in girls younger than 20 years of age, with no indication of cross-protection or herd effects. Interpretation Our results are promising for the long-term population-level effects of HPV vaccination programmes. However, continued monitoring is essential to identify any signals of potential waning efficacy or type-replacement. Funding The Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

IntroductionIn sub‐Saharan Africa, HIV prevalence remains high, especially among key populations. In such situations, combination prevention including clinical, behavioural, structural and biological components, as well as adequate treatment are important. We conducted a demonstration project at the Dispensaire IST, a clinic dedicated to female sex workers (FSWs) in Cotonou, on early antiretroviral therapy (E‐ART, or immediate “test‐and‐treat”) and pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We present key indicators such as uptake, retention and adherence.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, we recruited FSWs from October 4th 2014 to December 31st 2015 and followed them until December 31st 2016. FSWs were provided with daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (Truvada®) for PrEP or received a first‐line antiretroviral regimen as per Benin guidelines. We used generalized estimating equations to assess trends in adherence and sexual behaviour.ResultsAmong FSWs in the catchment area, HIV testing coverage within the study framework was 95.5% (422/442). At baseline, HIV prevalence was 26.3% (111/422). Among eligible FSWs, 95.5% (105/110) were recruited for E‐ART and 88.3% (256/290) for PrEP. Overall retention at the end of the study was 59.0% (62/105) for E‐ART and 47.3% (121/256) for PrEP. Mean (±SD) duration of follow‐up was 13.4 (±7.9) months for E‐ART and 11.8 (±7.9) months for PrEP. Self‐reported adherence was over 90% among most E‐ART participants. For PrEP, adherence was lower and the proportion with 100% adherence decreased over time from 78.4% to 56.7% (p‐trend < 0.0001). During the 250.1 person‐years of follow‐up among PrEP initiators, two seroconversions occurred (incidence 0.8/100 person‐years (95% confidence interval: 0.3 to 1.9/100 person‐years)). The two seroconverters had stopped using PrEP for at least six months before being found HIV‐infected. In both groups, there was no evidence of reduced condom use.ConclusionsThis study provides data on key indicators for the integration of E‐ART and PrEP into the HIV prevention combination package already offered to FSWs in Benin. PrEP may be more useful as an individual intervention for adherent FSWs rather than a specific public health intervention. E‐ART was a more successful intervention in terms of retention and adherence and is now offered to all key populations in Benin.Study registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02237

Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) as a cost-effective intervention for the prevention of malaria during pregnancy in endemic areas. This study was conducted to investigate: (1) the extent of use of both IPTp and ITNs, and (2) conduct multinomial regression to identify factors affecting the optimal usage of IPTp and ITNs among women with a recent pregnancy in Senegal.MethodsData was drawn from the 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 4616 women aged 15–49 years old, who had a recent pregnancy were analyzed. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with optimal uptake of malaria preventive strategies (both IPTp and ITN use).ResultsAmongst women who had a recent pregnancy, less than half of them used ITNs (46.84%) however, 80.35% reported taking IPTp during their last pregnancy. Overall, 37.51% reported using the optimal malaria preventive strategies. Women aged 35–49 years and living in the richer or middle wealth quintile were more likely to use optimal prevention methods. Pregnant women living in Diourbel, Saint-Louis, Thies, Louga, Fatick and Matam were more likely to use both IPTp-SP and ITNs compared to those living in Dakar. Additionally, women who initiated antenatal care in at least at 6 weeks of pregnancy or who attended four antenatal visits or more were more likely to use optimal malaria preventive methods during pregnancy.ConclusionsThis study has shown important factors that influence the uptake of malaria prevention methods during pregnancy in Senegal. These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies when designing and implementing policies aimed at improving the uptake of these measures during pregnancy in Senegal.

The Senegal pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Demonstration Project was an open-label cohort study assessing the delivery of daily oral PrEP to HIV-negative female sex workers (FSWs) in four Ministry of Health (MoH)-run clinics in Dakar, Senegal. We assessed uptake, retention in care, and adherence over up to 12 months of follow-up as well as HIV infection rates. Between July and November 2015, 350 individuals were approached and 324 (92.6%) were preliminarily eligible. Uptake was high, with 82.4% of eligible participants choosing to enroll and take PrEP. The mean age of those enrolled was 37.7 years (SD = 8.7), and approximately half had not attended school (41.2%). Among the 267 participants who were prescribed PrEP, 79.9 and 73.4% were retained in PrEP care at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Older age among FSWs was found to be the only significant predictor of lower discontinuation. We did not find significant differences in retention by site, education, condom use, or HIV risk perception. There were no new HIV infections at follow-up. Our results showed evidence of high interest in PrEP and very good PrEP retention rates among FSWs at 12-month follow-up when offered in MoH-run clinics, with older age as the only significant predictor of higher PrEP retention. This highlights the role that these clinics can play in expanding PrEP access nationwide.