ObjectivesDespite the increasing number of interventions aiming to integrate cervical cancer screening into HIV clinics in sub-Saharan Africa, Women living with HIV (WLHIV) still have a high risk of developing cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to estimate the coverage of cervical cancer screening and associated factors among WLHIV in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.DesignCross-sectional survey conducted from May to August 2017.SettingsOutpatient setting in the four highest volume urban HIV clinics of government’s or non-governmental organisation’s sector in Côte d’Ivoire.ParticipantsAll WLHIV, aged 25–55 years, followed since at least 1 year, selected through a systematic sampling procedure.InterventionA standardised questionnaire administered to each participant by trained healthcare workers.OutcomeCervical cancer screening uptake.ResultsA total of 1991 WLHIV were included in the study, aged in median 42 years (IQR 37–47), and a median CD4 count (last known) of 563 (378-773) cells/mm3. Among the participants, 1913 (96.1%) had ever heard about cervical cancer, 1444 (72.5%) had been offered cervical cancer screening, mainly in the HIV clinic for 1284 (88.9%), and 1188 reported a personal history of cervical cancer screening for an overall coverage of 59.7% (95% CI 57.6 to 62.0). In multivariable analysis, university level (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.1; 95% CI 1.4 to 3.1, p<0.001), being informed on cervical cancer at the HIV clinic (aOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0, p=0.017), receiving information self-perceived as ‘clear and understood’ on cervical cancer (aOR 1.7; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.2, p<0.001), identifying HIV as a risk factor for cervical cancer (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8, p=0.002) and being proposed cervical cancer screening in the HIV clinic (aOR 10.1; 95% CI 7.6 to 13.5, p<0.001), were associated with cervical cancer screening uptake.ConclusionInitiatives to support cervical cancer screening in HIV care programmes resulted in effective access to more than half of the WLHIV in Abidjan. Efforts are still needed to provide universal access to cervical cancer screening, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged WLHIV.

Objective: To report the successes and challenges of scaling up a population-based cervical cancer (CC) screening program from HIV clinics to various healthcare facilities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Method:A retrospective analysis of characteristics, outcomes, and follow-up of women attending an initial CC screening visit in Abidjan between January 2010 and December 2014. Data were collected via forms that were systematically completed during CC screening visits. Data from the 2014 population census were used to estimate screening coverage.Results: Among 16 169 women attending an initial CC screening, 1616 (10.0%) had a positive VIA test. Among 848 women eligible for immediate cryotherapy, 618 (72.9%) underwent the "see-and-treat" approach. The 1-year follow-up rate after cryotherapy was 23.1% (143/618), and was higher among women with HIV (111/362, 30.7%) than among other women (32/256, 12.5%) (P=0.001). The estimated coverage of CC screening in Abidjan was 1.2% (95% confidence interval, 0.6-3.1). Conclusion:Despite successful expansion of CC screening from HIV clinics to other facilities, the estimated screening coverage of the targeted population remained low.Follow-up of positively screened and treated women is a major challenge, especially outside HIV clinics, and would benefit from an innovative information system proving unique identification and tracking systems. K E Y W O R D S

Backgrounds Cervical cancer (CC) incidence remains unacceptably high in Côte d’Ivoire. In an effort to prevent this malignant condition, a national CC screening program has been scaled up in the country. This study aimed at assessing CC screening uptake and its associated factors in Abidjan in 2018. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to September 2018 in the main healthcare facilities of three randomly selected out of the eight health districts of Abidjan. During the study period, a standardized questionnaire was administrated by research assistants to all women aged 25 to 55 years old, attending the three participating facilities. Demographics, knowledge on CC, personal history of CC screening and reasons for not attending CC screening were collected. A logistic regression model was computed to document factors associated with reported CC screening uptake. Results A total of 1158 women with a median age of 32 years (IQR [27–36]), including 364 (31.4%) with no formal education were included. Of those participants, 786 (67.9%) had ever heard about CC. CC screening uptake at least once was reported by 7.5% [95% CI: 6.0–9.0] participants. In multivariable analysis, being ≥45 years (aOR: 6.2 [2.3–17.2]), having a university level (aOR: 2.8 [1.2–6.6]) (versus non formal education) and access to mass campaign information (aOR: 18.2 [8.5–39.1]) were associated with a reported CC screening uptake. The main reported barriers to CC screening were unawareness towards CC screening (75.5%), negligence (20.5%), fear of CC detection (3.9%) and fear of additional costs (3.3%). Conclusion CC screening uptake remains low despite current initiatives to support awareness and prevention in Abidjan. Awareness campaigns need to be massively increased with the adjunction of tailored messages based on the level of women’s education to enhance the CC screening coverage and reach the WHO goal of CC elimination by 2030.

BackgroundThe use of mobile technology in health care (mobile health [mHealth]) could be an innovative way to improve health care, especially for increasing retention in HIV care and adherence to treatment. However, there is a scarcity of studies on mHealth among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in West and Central Africa.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the acceptability of an mHealth intervention among PLHIV in three countries of West Africa.MethodsA cross-sectional study among PLHIV was conducted in 2017 in three francophone West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo. PLHIV followed in the six preselected HIV treatment and care centers, completed a standardized questionnaire on mobile phone possession, acceptability of mobile phone for HIV care and treatment, preference of mobile phone services, and phone sharing. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to describe variables and assess factors associated with mHealth acceptability.ResultsA total of 1131 PLHIV—643 from Côte d’Ivoire, 239 from Togo, and 249 from Burkina Faso—participated in the study. Median age was 44 years, and 76.1% were women (n=861). Almost all participants owned a mobile phone (n=1107, 97.9%), and 12.6% (n=140) shared phones with a third party. Acceptability of mHealth was 98.8%, with the majority indicating their preference for both phone calls and text messages. Factors associated with mHealth acceptability were having a primary school education or no education (adjusted odds ratio=7.15, 95% CI 5.05-10.12; P<.001) and waiting over one hour before meeting a medical doctor on appointment day (adjusted odds ratio=1.84, 95% CI 1.30-2.62; P=.01).ConclusionsThe use of mHealth in HIV treatment and care is highly acceptable among PLHIV and should be considered a viable tool to allow West and Central African countries to achieve the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 goals.

Background Cervical cancer, a major public health problem in many developing countries, is usually associated with a poor survival related to an advanced disease at diagnosis. In Côte d’Ivoire and other developing countries with high cervical cancer prevalence, little is known about factors associated with advanced cervical cancer stages in a context of limited access to screening services. Methods From May to July 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study using a mixed, quantitative and qualitative method. Information on socio-demographic and history of the disease was extracted from a rapid case ascertainement study performed by the cancer registry of Côte d’Ivoire that enrolled all women diagnosed with cervical cancer between July 2018 and June 2019. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted among a subset of these women (12 women) and six healthcare providers to further capture barriers to early cervical cancer diagnosis. Factors associated with an advanced stage III, IV (according to FIGO classification) were estimated by a logistic regression model. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis technique guided by the treatment pathway model and triangulated with quantitative data. Results In total, 95 women with cervical cancer [median age = 51 (IQR 42–59)] years, were included. Among them, 18.9% were living with HIV and only 9.5% were covered by a health insurance. The majority (71.5%) were diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. Being HIV-uninfected (aOR = 5.4; [1.6–17.8], p = 0.006) and being uninsured (aOR = 13.1; [2.0-85.5], p = 0.007) were independently associated with advanced cervical cancer in multivariable analysis. Qualitative data raised additional factors potentially related to advanced cervical cancer stages at diagnosis, including the lack of patient information on cervical cancer by healthcare providers and inadequate national awareness and screening campaigns. Conclusion In a context of challenges in access to systematic cervical cancer screening in Côte d’Ivoire, access to health insurance or integrated healthcare program appear to be key determinants of early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Background Although children with special health care needs (CSHCN) represent a minority of the population, they go through more hospitalizations, more admissions to the Emergency Department (ED), and receive a major number of medical prescriptions, in comparison to general pediatric population. Objectives of the study were to determine the reasons for admission to the ED in Italian CSHCN, and to describe the association between patient’s demographic data, clinical history, and health services requirements. Methods Ad hoc web site was created to collect retrospective data of 3479 visits of CSHCN to the ED in 58 Italian Hospitals. Results Seventy-two percent of patients admitted to ED were affected by a previously defined medical condition. Most of the ED admissions were children with syndromic conditions (54%). 44.2% of the ED admissions were registered during the night-time and/or at the weekends. The hospitalization rate was of 45.6% among patients admitted to the ED. The most common reason for admission to the ED was the presence of respiratory symptoms (26.6%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (21.3%) and neurological disorders (18.2%). 51.4% of the access were classified as ‘urgent’, with a red/yellow triage code. Considering the type of ED, 61.9% of the visits were conducted at the Pediatric EDs (PedEDs), 33.5% at the Functional EDs (FunEDs) and 4.6% at the Dedicated EDs (DedEDs). Patients with more complex clinical presentation were more likely to be evaluated at the PedEDs. CSHCN underwent to a higher number of medical procedures at the PedEDs, more in comparison to other EDs. Children with medical devices were directed to a PedED quite exclusively when in need for medical attention. Subjects under multiple anti-epileptic drug therapy attended to PedEDs or FunEDs generally. Patients affected by metabolic diseases were more likely to look for medical attention at FunEDs. Syndromic patients mostly required medical attention at the DedEDs. Conclusions Access of CSHCN to an ED is not infrequent. For this reason, it is fundamental for pediatricians working in any kind of ED to increase their general knowledge about CHSCN and to gain expertise in the management of such patients and their related medical complexity.

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in the world, mainly occurring in low-and-middle income countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among university students at a National Polytechnic Institute in Côte d’Ivoire. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the National Polytechnic Institute of Côte d’Ivoire. Sample was selected using a non-probabilistic convenient sampling method. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and capillary blood glucose were measured. A logistic regression model allowed to determine factors associated with hypertension. Results A total of 2,030 students, 79.7% males and 20.3% females, with a median age of 20 years (IQR = [19–22]) participated in the study. On hypertension knowledge, 96.9% (n = 1,968) of students reported having heard of hypertension; salty foods were reported by more than a third as a cause of hypertension (n = 734; 37.3%), while 114 (5.8%) and 157 (8.0%) selected tobacco and alcohol as causes of hypertension, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 6.0%, higher in males (6.8%) compared to females (2.7%) (p < 0.001). As for CVD risk factors, 148 (7.3%) were overweight or obese; 44.0% of males and 36.6% of females reported alcohol consumption. In multivariate analysis, being a female (OR = 4.16; CI 95% = [1.96–9.09]; p<0.001), being 25 years old and older (OR = 3.34; CI 95% = [2.01–5.55]; p = 0.001), tobacco use (OR = 2.65; CI 95% = [1.41–4.96]; p = 0.002), being overweight or obese (OR = 3.75; CI 95% = [2.13–6.59]; p<0,001) and having abnormal waist circumference (OR = 6.24; CI 95% = [1.99–19.51]; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with high blood pressure. Conclusion CVD risk factors are prominent among young adults in Côte d’Ivoire. Appropriate behavioural health interventions promoting a healthy lifestyle for young adults should be urgently implemented for CVD burden reduction.

PURPOSE Major improvements have occurred in access to invasive cervical cancer (ICC) screening in HIV-infected women over the past decade in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited information on changes in the burden of HIV-related ICC at a population level. Our objective was to compare HIV-related ICC over a decade and document factors associated with HIV infection in women with ICC in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted in referral hospitals of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, through the 2009-2011 and 2018-2020 periods. Women diagnosed with ICC were systematically tested for HIV. Demographics, ICC risk factors, cancer stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics), and HIV characteristics were collected through questionnaires. Characteristics of HIV-related ICC were compared between the periods, and factors associated with HIV in women diagnosed with ICC in 2018-2020 were documented through a multivariable logistic model. RESULTS During the 2009-2011 and 2018-2020 periods, 147 and 297 women with ICC were diagnosed with estimated HIV prevalence of 24.5% and 21.9% ( P = .53), respectively. In HIV-infected women, access to antiretroviral treatment increased from 2.8% to 73.8% ( P < 10−4) and median CD4 cell count from 285 (IQR, 250-441) to 492 (IQR, 377-833) cells/mm3 ( P = .03). In women diagnosed with ICC during the 2018-2020 period, HIV infection was associated with a less advanced clinical stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics I or II stage) (adjusted OR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.1 to 4.4]) and with ICC diagnosis through a systematic screening (adjusted OR, 10.5 [95% CI, 2.5 to 45.5]). CONCLUSION Despite a persistently high proportion of HIV-related ICC over time in Côte d'Ivoire, HIV was associated with less advanced clinical stage at ICC diagnosis. Recent improvements in ICC screening services across HIV clinics might explain this association and support their implementation across non-HIV health facilities.