The COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Hemodialysis Patients in Togo

Introduction: Wide adoption of vaccination is the key to successfully control the spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To evaluate the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors in hemodialysis patients in Lomé. Patients and Method: Cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1 to 31, 2021 in hemodialysis patients at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital to obtain their opinion on the anti-COVID-19 vaccination. Results: One hundred and twenty-three patients on regular hemodialysis were interviewed;their mean age was 45 years [37 - 55.5 years]. The average number of years patients were on dialysis was 3 years [2 - 5 years]. The general opinion on vaccination was mostly unfavorable (59.3%). Reasons given included: doubts about the quality of the vaccine (49.6%), fear of side effects (51.2%), alarming messages on social networks (36.5%) and doubts about the efficacy of the vaccines (33.3%). Only half of the patients in favor of vaccination were already vaccinated at the time of the survey. The main motivations for getting vaccinated were dominated by: fear of developing a severe form of COVID-19 if infected (32.5%), frailty due to age (19.5%) and medical history (15.4%). Social networks (72.3%), television (60.1%), family and friends (55.2%) were the main sources of information for patients about COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: Hemodialysis patients are mostly septic to anti-COVID-19 vaccination.

Chronic Nephropathies in the Internal Medicine Department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital

Introduction: The chronic nephropathies constitute a real global public health concern due to the constant increase in the prevalence estimated between 10% and 15%. In Sub-Saharan Africa, this prevalence has been estimated at 13.9%. This study will allow knowing the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and etiological aspects of chronic kidney disease in the internal medicine department of CHU-SO Lomé. Method: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study. It concerned all the patients suffering from a chronic kidney disease, hospitalized between the 1st of January 2014 and the 31st of December 2018, for a duration of 5 years. Results: During our study, 330 cases of chronic nephropathy were identified. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease was 8.3% of admissions. The mean age of the patients was 46.3 years with extremes of 19 and 86 years and a sex ratio of 1.32. A low socio-economic level of patients was observed in 63.9% with an urban origin in 69.7%. The main risk factors for renal impairment were hypertension (55.2%), diabetes mellitus (29.1%), obesity (20.6%), use of nephrotoxic products (19.4%), HIV infection (17%) and smoking (16.1%). The causes were dominated by nephroangiosclerosis (33.3%), followed by diabetic nephropathy (25.5%) and HIV-associated nephropathy (17%). Chronic renal failure was present in 95.8% of cases and was end stage in 69.7% of cases. Anemia was the main complication during the evolution of chronic kidney disease (98.2%). Mortality was 57.3% during hospitalization. Conclusion: Chronic kidney disease is a fairly common reason for hospitalization in the internal medicine department. Emphasis should therefore be placed on preventive measures for hypertension, diabetes and HIV.

Metabolic Syndrome in People Living with HIV in Lome (Togo): Epidemiological Aspects and Associated Factors

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLWHIV) are exposed to Metabolic Syndrome (MS), which increases their risk of having cardiovascular events and type 2 diabetes. No data on this subject is available in Togo. Objective: The objective of our study was to make an inventory of the metabolic syndrome among PLWHIV in Togo. Method: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study on PLWHIV received at the day hospital of the Infectious Diseases Department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital for a period of six months. Results: A total of 279 PLWHIV patients were enrolled, of which 237 (84.9%) were on Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) and 42 (15.1%) were naive. Metabolic syndrome has been demonstrated in 28.7% of the study population. Abdominal obesity was the most represented component of MS with a proportion of 57.7%. Risk factors associated with MS were female sex (OR = 3.01;CI: 1.52 - 5.93;p 2 (OR = 3.29;CI: 1.92 - 5.64;p 3 (OR = 1.85;CI: 1.06 - 3.20;p Conclusion: There is a need to screen MS for PLWHIV so that risk factors associated with it can be addressed early.

Dyslipidemia in People Living with HIV on Anti-Retroviral Treatment: Case of the Ambulatory Treatment Center (ATC) of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital of Lome

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is a significant cardiovascular risk factor in patients living with HIV (PLWHIV). Few data are available in Togo. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated factors in PLWHIV on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). Methods: This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of patients followed at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital’s infectious diseases department for six months. The study population consisted of any PLWHIV patient on HAART over 18 years of age who had been regularly monitored and had a serum lipid fraction assay. Results: Two hundred and eighty-four patients were included. 75.4% were women. The median age was 46 years (IQR: 39 - 52) and the median CD4 count was 461 cel/U1 (IQR: 330 - 607). Eighty-three percent of the patients had suppressed viral load. The median duration of follow-up under antiretroviral treatment antiretroviral treatment was 4.18 years (IQR: 2 - 7). The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 72.5%. HDL hypocholesterolemia (HDL-c Conclusion: Our study revealed a high prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients on HAART as well as associated factors. To this end, it is necessary to insist on screening for dyslipidemia before and after initiation of HAART in order to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular events in PLWHIV.