HIV prevention cascade theory and its relation to social dimensions of health: a case for Nigeria

Ngozi N Joe-Ikechebelu,1,2 Emmanuel C Azuike,1,2 Basil E Nwankwo,1,3 Ifeanyichukwu U Ezebialu,1,4 Williams O Ngene,1,5 George U Eleje61Health Promotion and Practice Research Unit, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria; 2Department of Community Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria; 3Office of the Chief Medical Director, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria; 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria; 5Department of Physiotherapy, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria; 6Effective Care Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Awka, NigeriaCorrespondence: George U ElejeEffective Care Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, P.M.B., Nnewi, Anambra State 5025, NigeriaTel +234 806 811 7444Email georgel21@yahoo.comBackground: Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Within the last three decades, majority of HIV programs in Nigeria were treatment strategies with few prevention approaches. The persistence of HIV prevalence despite the treatment blueprint has led to a concerted call to HIV Prevention Cascade (HPC) theory which ensures continuous sophisticated interrelationship that stretches beyond the biomedical interventions of treatment. To our knowledge, there is no previous review on HPC theory in Nigerian context.Objectives: The aim of this review was to explore and outline the HIV/AIDS prevention cascade theory in relation to the achievement of the global 90-90-90 target set by the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS and suggest possible avenues to maximize on strengths and weaknesses of HPC in Nigeria.Methods: In this mini-review, the authors u