1. Implementation of the advanced HIV disease package of care using a public health approach: lessons from Nigeria
- Author
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Williams Eigege, Oche Agbaji, Nere Otubu, Opeyemi Abudiore, Oluwakemi Sowale, Boma Levy-Braide, Asari Inyang, Dinesh Rathakrishnan, Ikechukwu Amamilo, James Conroy, Folu Lufadeju, Carolyn Amole, Owens Wiwa, Dennis Onotu, Khalil Sanni, Peter Nwaokenneya, Mohammed Patiko, Akudo Ikpeazu, Stephen Oguche, Rita Oladele, and Sulaimon Akanmu
- Subjects
Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) ,People Living with HIV (PLHIV) ,CD4+ ,Cryptococcal meningitis ,Tuberculosis ,Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Abstract Background Nigeria adapted the WHO package of care for Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) in 2020. The package includes CD4 + cell count testing to identify People Living with HIV (PLHIV) with AHD, screening and treatment of opportunistic infections, rapid antiretrovirals (ART) initiation, and intensive adherence follow-up. The national program adopted a phased approach in the rollout of the AHD package of care to learn lessons from a few representative health facilities before scaling up across the country. This study describes the process and lessons learned from the first phase of implementation. Methods This was a prospective observational study, and participants were enrolled between February and September 2021. Healthcare-worker (HCW) capacity was built to implement the AHD package of care. The study population included newly diagnosed PLHIV ≥ 10 years presenting to care in 28 selected facilities across 4 states in Nigeria. Eligible participants received CD4 + cell testing at baseline. Those with CD4 + cell count
- Published
- 2024
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