Optimizing community linkage to care and antiretroviral therapy Initiation: Lessons from the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) and their adaptation in Nigeria ART Surge

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257476
• Publication Date: 2021-09-20T17:32:06Z
• Authors: Ibrahim Jahun; Ishaq Said; Ibrahim El-Imam; Akipu Ehoche; Ibrahim Dalhatu; Aminu Yakubu; Stacie Greby; Megan Bronson; Kristin Brown; Moyosola Bamidele; Andrew T. Boyd; Pamela Bachanas; Emilio Dirlikov; Chinedu Agbakwuru; Andrew Abutu; Michelle Williams...; Denis Onotu; Solomon Odafe; Daniel B. Williams; Orji Bassey; Obinna Ogbanufe; Chibuzor Onyenuobi; Ayo Adeola; Chidozie Meribe; Timothy Efuntoye; Omodele J. Fagbam...; Ayodele Fagbemi; Uzoma Ene; Tingir Nguhemen; Ifunanya Mgbakor; Matthias Alagi; Olugbenga Asaolu; Ademola Oladipo; Joy Amafah; Charles Nzelu; Patrick Dakum; Charles Mensah; Ahmad Aliyu; Prosper Okonkwo; Bolanle Oyeledun; John Oko; Akudo Ikpeazu; Aliyu Gambo; Manhattan Charurat; Tedd Ellerbrock; Sani Aliyu; Mahesh Swaminathan
• Keywords: Linkage (software); mHealth

Ineffective linkage to care (LTC) is a known challenge for community HIV testing. To overcome this challenge, robust strategy was adopted by the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). The NAIIS further adapted improve Nigeria's programmatic efforts achieve 1st 90 as part of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Surge initiative, which also included targeted In paper we provide an overview LTC describe impact on both initiatives.The collaborated with community-based organizations (CBOs) deployed mobile health (mHealth) technology real-time dashboards manage optimize people living (PLHIV) diagnosed during survey. NAIIS, CBOs' role facilitate identified PLHIV in facility their choice. For ART Surge, modified empowering CBOs teams responsible not only active but testing, initiation, retention care.Of 2,739 15 years above 1,975 (72.1%) were either unaware HIV-positive status (N = 1890) or aware receiving treatment 85). Of these, 1,342 (67.9%) linked care, 952 (70.9%) initiated ART. Among 1,890 newly PLHIV, 1,278 (67.6%) 33.7% self-linked 66.3% CBOs. 85 treatment, 64 (75.3%) linked; 32.8% 67.2% CBO. initiation rates 98% 100%, respectively. Three-month monthly cohorts improved from 76% 90% over 6 months.Active strategies local initiative. use mHealth resulted timely accurate documentation results NAIIS. By deploying addition LTC, could effectively scale up client-level outcomes.