Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem in Togo and transmission to the child occurs mainly during childbirth. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV among childbearing women and infants born to HBV positive mothers in Togo. Methods A national cross-sectional study was carried out in six cities in Togo in the six health regions in Togo. Mother-child pairs were recruited from immunization centers or pediatric wards in Lomé, Tsévié, Atakpamé, Sokodé, Kara and Dapaong in 2017. Women aged 18 and over with one child of at least 6 months old were included. A standardized questionnaire was used for data collection and HBV screening was performed using Determine® rapid tests. The prevalence of HBV, defined by a positive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), was estimated in mothers and then in infants of mothers who were positive for HBsAg. Logistic regression model was performed to identify risk factors for HBsAg positivity in mothers. Results A total of 2105 mothers-pairs child were recruited. The median age of mothers and infants was 29 years, interquartile range (IQR) [25–33] and 2.1 years, IQR [1–3] respectively. About 35% of women were screened for HBV during antenatal care and 85% of infants received three doses of HBV immunization. Among mothers, the prevalence of HBV was 10.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [9.4–12.0%], and 177 had detectable HBV viral load (> 10 IU/mL). Among mothers with positive HBsAg, three infants also had positive HBsAg, a prevalence of 1.3, 95% CI [0.2–3.8%]. In multivariable analysis, HIV-infection (aOR = 2.19; p = 0.018), having at least three pregnancies (aOR = 1.46; p = 0.025) and living in Tsévié (aOR = 0.31; p < 0.001) compared to those living in Lomé, were associated to HBV infection in mothers. Conclusion In this study, one out of 10 childbearing women were infected with HBV, but less than 2% of infant born to HBV positive mothers under 5 years’ old who received immunization under the Expanded Program on Immunization were infected. Improving antenatal screening and providing targeted interventions in babies could help eliminate HBV in Togo.

A good knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in female students is an important element in the prevention of STI transmission. The objective of this study is to describe the level of knowledge and practices on STI among female students at the University of Kara. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Kara from July to September 2021. Data were collected using a standard, digitalised, selfadministered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to describe factors associated with the level of knowledge of STIs. A total of 1,055 female students with a median age of 21 years (interquartile range: 20-24) participated in the study. More than one-third (33.7%) of the students had good knowledge of STI. Having already been tested for HIV (aOR=3.25; 95% CI 2.36-4.52), having already had sex (aOR=1.56; 95% CI 1.10-2.24) and the level of education (AOR=3.46; 95% CI 2.10-5.85) were significantly associated with good STIs knowledge. Among the 723 female students (68.5%) who already had sex, 32.5% reported inconsistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse and 18.9% reported having multiple sexual partners. The results of this study highlight the importance of intensifying STIs prevention efforts (awareness, screening, and vaccination) among female students at the University of Kara.

No abstract