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Africa is responsible for two‐thirds of the global total of new HIV infections. South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, and Ethiopia were responsible for 80% of HIV cases in Africa in 2014 according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This study assesses antiretroviral coverage strategies implemented by these countries after the initiation of the "Fast‐Track strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030." Data reported in this review were obtained from different e‐bibliographic including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. Key terms were "Antiretroviral therapy," "Antiretroviral treatment," "HIV treatment," "HIV medication," "HIV/AIDS therapy," "HIV/AIDS treatment" + each of the countries listed earlier. We also extracted data on antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage from the UNAIDS database. About 50 papers published from 2015 to 2021 met the inclusion criteria. All 10 countries have experienced an increase in ART coverage from 2015 to 2020 with an average of 47.6% increment. Nigeria recorded the highest increase in the rate of ART coverage (72% increase) while Ethiopia had the least (30%). New strategies adopted to increase ART coverage and retention in most countries were community‐based models and the use of mobile health technology rather than clinic‐based. These strategies focus on promoting task shifting, door‐to‐door access to HIV services, and a long‐term supply of antiretroviral medications. Most of these strategies are still in the piloting stage. However, some new strategies and frameworks have been adopted nationwide in countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Malawi. Identified challenges include lack of funding, inadequate testing and surveillance services, poor digital penetration, and cultural/religious beliefs. The adoption of community‐based and digital health strategies could have contributed to increased ART coverage and retention. African countries should facilitate nationwide scaling of ART coverage strategies to attain the 95–95–95 goal by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYA, age 10-24 years) face unique ethical, social, structural, and legal challenges with informed consent to research participation, resulting in systematic AYA exclusion from HIV prevention and treatment studies. We describe the development of a stakeholder-driven consensus statement on strategies for improving AYA informed consent to HIV research participation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: The VOICE (HIV Youth Informed Consent & Ethics in Research) Working Group brought together a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of young people, HIV/AYA researchers, community organizers, advocates, research ethics committee members, and bioethicists. The Working Group initially drafted statement items drawing on themes identified in a previous open call, supplemented with a scoping review. We then implemented an adapted Delphi process consisting of two rounds of online survey questionnaires and a hybrid (online and in-person) consensus summit in Lagos, Nigeria. The questionnaire used Likert scale responses to measure agreement on whether to include each statement item and textboxes for feedback. Results: Consensus survey round one was sent to VOICE Working Group members and affiliates of a multinational research consortium focused on AYA HIV research. Of the 53 invitees, 44 completed the survey (83%). All 27 initial statement items achieved consensus, defined as ≥80% of participants responding "agree" or "strongly agree" to an item's inclusion in the statement. Round one results were brought to a hybrid consensus summit for discussion and further revision, condensing to 26 items. The resulting revised statement items were then used in survey round two, completed online by 73 consensus summit participants. Of the 26 items, 23 achieved consensus. Conclusion: While parental involvement in AYA consent is a contentious point, there is widespread agreement among key stakeholders on actionable strategies to improve AYA consent processes, and thereby increase AYA inclusion in HIV research in LMICs. The resulting consensus statement provides practical guidance for implementation at the organizational, community, and policy levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a common condition of public health concern in Nigeria. Different therapeutic approaches have been developed to manage SCA, including blood transfusion. In a bid to develop a sustainable solution to the blood supply pool, the SmileBuilders Initiative organizes a blood donation drive (Donate-A-Pint Project) quarterly in Ibadan, Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria, towards SCA. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the University College Hospital Blood Bank in Ibadan over a period of three months. A validated questionnaire, based on similar studies in Nigeria, was used to collect data from blood donors. The SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis, and the chi-square test of independence assessed associations between variables, with a significance level of 0.05. Results Among 205 donors, 68.8% were male, and 42.4% were in the age category of ≥25 years. Most donors (60.0%) were university students. While 12.3% had never heard of SCA, 79.5% were aware of their genotype. Regarding the intrauterine diagnosis of hemoglobin SS (HbSS), 20.0% would allow pregnancy, 31.7% would abort, and 48.3% were undecided. Most respondents (73.2%) had good knowledge of SCA (mean score = 7.0/10.0). If partners were found to have SCA after marriage, 42.9% were undecided. Knowledge of SCA was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.017) and education level (p = 0.001). Conclusion Blood donors in Ibadan have good knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward SCA. However, more health education would benefit the population., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. The University of Ibadan and University College Hospital Research Ethics Committee (UI/UCH REC) issued approval UI/EC/22/0368. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Amusat et al.)