Identifying and prioritizing implementation barriers, gaps, and strategies through the Nigeria implementation science alliance: Getting to zero in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Authors

Echezona Ezeanolue, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
B J. Powell, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
D Patel, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
A Olutola, Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical ResearchFollow
M Obiefune, University of MarylandFollow
P Dakum, Institute of Human Virology NigeriaFollow
P Okonkwo, Harvard UniversityFollow
B Gobir, Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation
T Akinmurele, Enhanced Health Access Initiatives
A Nwandu, University of Maryland
K Torpey, Family Health International
B Oyeledum, Center for Integrated Health ProgramsFollow
M Aina, Solina HealthFollow
A Eyo, Excellence Community Education Welfare SchemeFollow
O Oleribe, Excellence and Friends Management ConsultFollow
I Ibanga, ProHealth InternationalFollow
J Oko, Catholic Caritas Foundation NigeriaFollow
C Anyaike, Federal Ministry of HealthFollow
J Idoko, National Agency for Control of AIDSFollow
M H. Aliyu, Vanderbilt University Medical CenterFollow
R Sturke, National Institutes of HealthFollow
H Watts, Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator
G Siberry, National Institutes of HealthFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Publication Title

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Volume

72

First page number:

S161

Last page number:

S166

Abstract

Background: In 2013, Nigeria accounted for 15% of the 1.3 million pregnant women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and 26% of new infections among children worldwide. Despite this, less than 20% of pregnant women in Nigeria received an HIV test during pregnancy, and only 23% of HIV-infected pregnant women received appropriate intervention following HIV diagnosis. This article reports findings from 2 structured group exercises conducted at the first Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance Conference to identify (1) barriers and research gaps related to prevention of mother-tochild transmission (PMTCT) and (2) potential strategies and interventions that could address PMTCT challenges. Methods: Two 1-hour structured group exercises were conducted with 10 groups of 14-15 individuals (n = 145), who were asked to brainstorm barriers and strategies and to rank their top 3 in each category. Data analysis eliminated duplicate responses and categorized each of the priorities along the HIV care continuum: HIV diagnosis, linkage to care, or retention in care. Results: Participating stakeholders identified 20 unique barriers and research gaps related to PMTCT across the HIV continuum. Twentyfive unique interventions and implementation strategies were identified. Similar to the barriers and research gaps, these interventions and strategies were distributed across the HIV care continuum. Conclusions: The barriers and strategies identified in this study represent important pathways to progress addressing MTCT. The deliberate involvement of state and federal policy makers, program implementers, and researchers helps ensure that they are relevant and actionable. © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Barriers; Gaps; Implementation research; Implementation strategies; Nigeria

Language

English

Repository Citation

Ezeanolue, E., Powell, B. J., Patel, D., Olutola, A., Obiefune, M., Dakum, P., Okonkwo, P., Gobir, B., Akinmurele, T., Nwandu, A., Torpey, K., Oyeledum, B., Aina, M., Eyo, A., Oleribe, O., Ibanga, I., Oko, J., Anyaike, C., Idoko, J., Aliyu, M. H., Sturke, R., Watts, H., Siberry, G. (2016). Identifying and prioritizing implementation barriers, gaps, and strategies through the Nigeria implementation science alliance: Getting to zero in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 72 S161-S166.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000001066