Prevention of HIV infection in men who have sex with men is a

Paris, 21 July 2016
Press release
Prevention of HIV infection in men who have sex with men
is a priority in West Africa
In West Africa, men who have sex with men are exposed to a high risk of HIV infection and
could benefit from stronger prevention including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This is
what is suggested by the first data from ANRS CohMSM, a study led by Christian Laurent
(Institut de recherche pour le développement, unité TransVIHMI) and his colleagues, the
first results of which will be presented at AIDS 2016 in Durban, South Africa (18 to 22 July).
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a key population in the fight against HIV infection, notably
in African countries where homosexuality is subject to social rejection. Christian Laurent (Institut
de recherche pour le développement, unité TransVIHMI) notes that “the prevalence1 of HIV
infection is three times higher in African MSM than in the general population.”
To limit infections, it seems necessary to put in place new prevention strategies for this at-risk
population. However, data on African MSM are scarce. The first findings from the cohort study
ANRS CohMSM led by Christian Laurent and his colleagues from ARCAD-SIDA (Bamako, Mali),
Espace Confiance (Abidjan, Ivory Coast), Division SIDA/IST, Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene
and Prevention (Dakar, Senegal), the Centre Muraz and REVS+ (Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso),
Alternatives-Cameroun (Douala, Cameroon), Coalition Plus (Paris, France), and SESSTIM UMR
912 (Inserm/IRD/Université Aix-Marseille, France) give pointers to the incidence of HIV infection
in MSM of four West African countries: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Senegal. The results
of this prospective study are presented in an oral communication at AIDS 2016 in Durban, South
Africa (18 to 22 July).
This study recruited 386 seronegative MSM who had at least one sexual relation with another man
in the three months preceding the study. Participants were offered 6-month follow-up involving an
appointment every quarter for screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, plus
advice on prevention, and provision of condoms. In the event of HIV infection, the volunteers could
access suitable medical management including antiretroviral therapy.
During follow-up, 8 participants were infected by HIV, so the annual incidence rate was 4.8% (4.8
infected individuals out of 100 in one year). The authors note that “Considering the incidence of
HIV infection observed in this study, MSM in these West African countries are eligible for PrEP, in
line with WHO criteria.” Since 2015, the WHO has recommended giving populations with a 3%
annual incidence of infection access to PrEP including the antiretroviral tenofovir disoproxil
fumarate, on top of conventional means of prevention.
1
The prevalence of HIV infection is the percentage of people living with HIV at a given time
Another striking result from this study is that 82% of the participants went to the first appointment,
and 69% returned for the second and last. Christian Laurent considers that “these results confirm
that there is a demand from these men for access to suitable follow-up and to screening. This is
proof that they are fully aware of being exposed to a higher risk of infection.”
To see whether a longer term follow-up program would be equally acceptable, the CohMSM study
will continue for three years, under the aegis of ANRS and Expertise France.
Founded in 1988, the French Research Agency ANRS brings together researchers from different fields and
institutions in the developed world and resource-limited countries to work on scientific questions regarding
HIV/AIDS or viral hepatitis. The ANRS funds research projects approved by international expert committees. It
oversees projects from conception to completion and ensures that the results are used for the benefit of the
populations concerned. Its annual budget of around 45 million euros is provided by the ministries in charge of
Research and Health. Since 2012 it has been an autonomous agency of Inserm (French National Institute of
Health and Medical Research).
Abstract
Is pre-exposure prophylaxis needed for men who have sex with men in West Africa? HIV incidence data from a prospective multicountry
cohort study (CohMSM ANRS 12280)
Clotilde Couderc1, Bintou Dembélé Keita2, Camille Anoma3, Abdoulaye Sidibé Wade4, Abdoulaye Ouédraogo5, Alou Coulibaly2, Sylvain Ehouman3,
Abdou Khoudia Diop4, Martine Somda6, Yves Yomb7, Emilie Henry8, Bruno Spire9, Christian Laurent1. 21th International AIDS Conference,
Durban, 18-22 July 2016
1
TransVIHMI, IRD UMI 233 / Inserm U 1175 / Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France ; 2ARCAD-SIDA, Bamako, Mali ; 3Espace Confiance,
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire ; 4Division SIDA/IST, Ministère de la santé, de l'hygiène publique et de la prévention, Dakar, Sénégal ; 5Centre Muraz, BoboDioulasso, Burkina Faso ; 6REVS+, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso ; 7Alternatives-Cameroun, Douala, Cameroun ; 8Coalition PLUS, Paris, France ;
9
SESSTIM UMR 912, Inserm/IRD/Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
Scientific contacts
Durban: Bruno Spire
Tel: +33 (0)6 14 23 26 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Montpellier: Christian Laurent
Tel: +33 (0)4 67 41 61 50
E-mail: [email protected]
ANRS press contacts
Durban: Marie-Christine Simon
Tel: +27 (0)7 18 88 01 88
E-mail: [email protected]
Paris: Noëlla Lefebvre
Tel: +33 (0)1 53 94 60 21
E-mail: [email protected]