Hepatitis B vaccine birth dose coverage among hepatitis B-exposed and hepatitis B-unexposed infants: evidence from the Healthy Beginning Initiative program in Benue State, Nigeria.

Introduction: Nigeria offers universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine (HepB-BD) for the prevention and control of hepatitis B (HepB). While prior studies suggest low coverage of HepB-BD in Nigeria, there is a paucity of evidence on the association between the uptake of HepB-BD and maternal HepB status. This study aimed to determine HepB-BD coverage and the associated factors among infants of HepB-positive and -negative women in Nigeria. Methods: the study was a secondary analysis of data from the Healthy Beginning Initiative program conducted between June 2016 and October 2018 in Benue State, Nigeria. The analysis was restricted to data from a cohort of 6269 mothers who had HepB screening during pregnancy and completed the HepB infant immunization question in the post-delivery survey. The association between the coverage of HepB-BD and maternal HepB status, sociodemographic characteristics, and obstetric factors were determined using crude and adjusted relative risks. Results: about 10% of the women tested HepB positive. The coverage of HepB-BD was 64% (63.2% among infants of HepB-positive mothers and 63.8% among HepB-negative mothers). The likelihood of infants of HepB-positive mothers receiving HepB-BD was not significantly different from infants of HepB-negative mothers (aRR=0.97, 95%CI= 0.92-1.04). Among HepB-positive mothers, infants of mothers younger than 20 years (aRR=1.49, 95%CI=1.03-2.16) or those who received antenatal care (aRR=1.41, 95%CI=1.16-1.71) were more likely to receive HepB-BD, while mothers with no previous pregnancies (aRR=0.73, 95%CI=0.59-0.91) were less likely to receive HepB-BD. Among HepB-negative mothers, infants of less-educated mothers were less likely to receive HepB-BD (aRR=0.96, 95%CI=0.92-0.99), whereas infants of mothers who received antenatal care (aRR=1.23, 95%CI=1.16-1.31) or had an institutional delivery were more likely (aRR=1.29, 95%CI=1.23-1.36) to receive HepB-BD. Conclusion: our findings highlight the need to improve HepB-BD uptake, particularly among HepB-exposed infants who are at risk of perinatal transmission of HepB.

Cholera outbreaks among children in sub-Saharan Africa.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review current knowledge on the burden, impact and prevention of cholera among children who bear the brunt of cholera outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. RECENT FINDINGS: Several studies have shown that recent outbreaks of cholera among African children are related to minimal progress in basic sanitation and infrastructural development. Poor hygiene practices such as open defecation and indiscriminate disposal of feces are still common in many parts of Africa. SUMMARY: Cholera case fatality rates in sub-Saharan Africa remain unacceptably high. Children are disproportionately affected and bear the brunt of the disease. Controlling outbreaks of cholera among African children will require a synchronous implementation of the five levels of disease prevention.

Hepatitis B vaccine birth dose coverage among hepatitis B-exposed and hepatitis B-unexposed infants: evidence from the Healthy Beginning Initiative program in Benue State, Nigeria

Introduction: Nigeria offers universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine (HepB-BD) for the prevention and control of hepatitis B (HepB). While prior studies suggest low coverage of HepB-BD in Nigeria, there is a paucity of evidence on the association between the uptake of HepB-BD and maternal HepB status. This study aimed to determine HepB-BD coverage and the associated factors among infants of HepB-positive and -negative women in Nigeria. Methods: the study was a secondary analysis of data from the Healthy Beginning Initiative program conducted between June 2016 and October 2018 in Benue State, Nigeria. The analysis was restricted to data from a cohort of 6269 mothers who had HepB screening during pregnancy and completed the HepB infant immunization question in the post-delivery survey. The association between the coverage of HepB-BD and maternal HepB status, sociodemographic characteristics, and obstetric factors were determined using crude and adjusted relative risks. Results: about 10% of the women tested HepB positive. The coverage of HepB-BD was 64% (63.2% among infants of HepB-positive mothers and 63.8% among HepB-negative mothers). The likelihood of infants of HepB-positive mothers receiving HepB-BD was not significantly different from infants of HepB-negative mothers (aRR=0.97, 95%CI= 0.92-1.04). Among HepB-positive mothers, infants of mothers younger than 20 years (aRR=1.49, 95%CI=1.03-2.16) or those who received antenatal care (aRR=1.41, 95%CI=1.16-1.71) were more likely to receive HepB-BD, while mothers with no previous pregnancies (aRR=0.73, 95%CI=0.59-0.91) were less likely to receive HepB-BD. Among HepB-negative mothers, infants of less-educated mothers were less likely to receive HepB-BD (aRR=0.96, 95%CI=0.92-0.99), whereas infants of mothers who received antenatal care (aRR=1.23, 95%CI=1.16-1.31) or had an institutional delivery were more likely (aRR=1.29, 95%CI=1.23-1.36) to receive HepB-BD. Conclusion: our findings highlight the need to improve HepB-BD uptake, particularly among HepB-exposed infants who are at risk of perinatal transmission of HepB.

Potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and associated sociodemographic characteristics: A cross-sectional evaluation of a large cohort of women living with HIV in north-central Nigeria.

Males have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors such as alcohol use, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, and smoking based on limited data available from two tertiary health centers in Nigeria. Increasing age and lower educational level influence smoking among the same population in northeastern and northwestern Nigeria. Specifically in women living with HIV (WLHIV), the association between demographic characteristics and CVD risk factors has not been described. In a multi-center cross-sectional study, we documented the association of sociodemographic characteristics with potential CVD risk factors among a large cohort of WLHIV attending five treatment sites in north-central Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study among 5430 women of reproductive age who received antiretrovirals at five selected treatment sites in Benue State, Nigeria. We performed multivariable regression of sociodemographic characteristics on potential cardiovascular risk factors, namely, smoking, alcohol consumption, and contraceptive use. We found participants' mean age was 33.2 (standard deviation: 6.1) years. Prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and contraceptive use were 0.6%, 11%, and 7% respectively. Older WLHIV (≥ 40 years) had a negative association with contraceptive use (aOR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.42-0.81). Being educated WLHIV had a positive association with contraceptive use (aOR: 1.34, 95%CI: 1.02-1.76) and a negative association with tobacco smoking (aOR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.16-0.83). Being a farmer had a negative association with alcohol consumption (aOR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.35-0.52) and contraceptive use (aOR: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.48-0.76). Compared to being married, being in a single relationship had positive association with alcohol consumption (aOR: 1.30, 95%CI: 1.08-1.56) while parenting was associated with 165% higher odds of contraceptive use (aOR: 2.65, 95%CI: 1.73-4.06). In conclusion, the low prevalence of smoking exists among women living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment. Older age, farming and being married are potential deterrents to lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among this population. To improve HIV-related treatment efforts and outcomes, implementing interventions aimed at lifestyle behavioral modification among this population has the potential to reduce cardiovascular disease risks.

Rapid implementation mapping to identify implementation determinants and strategies for cervical cancer control in Nigeria.

Background: Cervical cancer constitutes a huge burden among women in Nigeria, particularly HIV-infected women. However, the provision and uptake of cervical cancer screening and treatment is limited in Nigeria. Understanding implementation determinants is essential for the effective translation of such evidence-based interventions into practice, particularly in low-resource settings. COVID-19 pandemic necessitated online collaboration making implementation mapping challenging in some ways, while providing streamlining opportunities. In this study, we describe the use of a virtual online approach for implementation mapping (steps 1-3) to identify implementation determinants, mechanisms, and strategies to implement evidence-based cervical cancer screening and treatment in existing HIV infrastructure in Nigeria. Methods: This study used a mixed methods study design with a virtual modified nominal group technique (NGT) process aligning with Implementation Mapping steps 1-3. Eleven stakeholders (six program staff and five healthcare providers and administrators) participated in a virtual NGT process which occurred in two phases. The first phase utilized online surveys, and the second phase utilized an NGT and implementation mapping process. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework was used to elicit discussion around determinants and strategies from the outer context (i.e., country and regions), inner organizational context of existing HIV infrastructure, bridging factors that relate to bi-directional influences, and the health innovation to be implemented (in this case cervical cancer screening and treatment). During the NGT, the group ranked implementation barriers and voted on implementation strategies using Mentimeter. Results: Eighteen determinants to integrating cervical cancer screening and treatment into existing comprehensive HIV programs were related to human resources capacity, access to cervical cancer services, logistics management, clinic, and client-related factors. The top 3 determinants included gaps in human resources capacity, poor access to cervical cancer services, and lack of demand for services resulting from lack of awareness about the disease and servicesA set of six core implementation strategies and two enhanced implementation strategies were identified. Conclusions: Rapid Implementation Mapping is a feasible and acceptable approach for identifying and articulating implementation determinants, mechanisms, and strategies for complex healthcare interventions in LMICs.

AVIVA: a telehealth tool to improve cervical cancer screening in resource-constrained settings.

Cervical cancer accounts for 21.7% of all cancer deaths in the sub-Saharan Africa with a case fatality rate of 68%. Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health has adopted cervical cancer screening (CCS) using visual inspection with acetic acid or Lugol's iodine (VIA/VILI) and cryotherapy treatment for precancerous lesions as the preferred screening and treatment strategy. Using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment Framework, our study documents our experience during the development, piloting and roll-out of the APIN Public Health Initiatives (APIN)-developed VIA Visual Application (AVIVA) for CCS using the VIA method in 86 APIN-supported health facilities across 7 states in Nigeria. Between December 2019 and June 2022, with the aid of 9 gynaecologists and 133 case finders, a total of 29 262 women living with HIV received VIA-based CCS and 1609 of them were VIA-positive, corresponding to VIA positivity rate of 5.5%. Over the 30 months duration and the 5 phases of CCS scale-up, AVIVA development and expansion, a total of 1247 cases were shared via the AVIVA App (3741 pictures), with 1058 of such cases undergoing expert review, corresponding to a reviewer rate of 84.8%. Overall, the use of the AVIVA App improved both the VIA-positive and VIA-negative concordance rates by 16 percentage points each (26%-42% and 80%-96%, respectively) from baseline to the end of the study. We concluded that the AVIVA App is an innovative tool to improve CCS rates and diagnostic precision by connecting health facility staff and expert reviewers in resource-limited settings.

Acceptability and user experiences of a patient-held smart card for antenatal services in Nigeria: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Poor maternal, newborn and child health outcomes remain a major public health challenge in Nigeria. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions such as patient-held smart cards have been proposed as effective solutions to improve maternal health outcomes. Our objectives were to assess the acceptability and experiences of pregnant women with the use of a patient-held smartcard for antenatal services in Nigeria. METHODS: Using focus group discussions, qualitative data were obtained from 35 pregnant women attending antenatal services in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Benue State, Nigeria. The audio-recorded data were transcribed and analyzed using framework analysis techniques such as the PEN-3 cultural model as a guide. RESULTS: The participants were 18-44 years of age (median age: 24 years), all were married and the majority were farmers. Most of the participants had accepted and used the smartcards for antenatal services. The most common positive perceptions about the smartcards were their ability to be used across multiple health facilities, the preference for storage of the women's medical information on the smartcards compared to the usual paper-based system, and shorter waiting times at the clinics. Notable facilitators to using the smartcards were its provision at the "Baby showers" which were already acceptable to the women, access to free medical screenings, and ease of storage and retrieval of health records from the cards. Costs associated with health services was reported as a major barrier to using the smartcards. Support from health workers, program staff and family members, particularly spouses, encouraged the participants to use the smartcards. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that patient-held smart card for maternal health care services is acceptable by women utilizing antenatal services in Nigeria. Understanding perceptions, barriers, facilitators, and supportive systems that enhance the use of these smart cards may facilitate the development of lifesaving mobile health platforms that have the potential to achieve antenatal, delivery, and postnatal targets in a resource-limited setting.

Building a national framework for multicentre research and clinical trials: experience from the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance.

There is limited capacity and infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa to conduct clinical trials for the identification of efficient and effective new prevention, diagnostic and treatment modalities to address the disproportionate burden of disease. This paper reports on the process to establish locally driven infrastructure for multicentre research and trials in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance Model Innovation and Research Centres (NISA-MIRCs). We used a participatory approach to establish a research network of 21 high-volume health facilities selected from all 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria capable of conducting clinical trials, implementation research using effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs and health system research. The NISA-MIRCs have a cumulative potential to recruit 60 000 women living with HIV and an age-matched cohort of HIV-uninfected women. We conducted a needs assessment, convened several stakeholder outreaches and engagement sessions, and established a governance structure. Additionally, we selected and trained a core research team, developed criteria for site selection, assessed site readiness for research and obtained ethical approval from a single national institutional review board. We used the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment framework to guide our reporting of the process in the development of this network. The NISA-MIRCs will provide a nationally representative infrastructure to initiate new studies, support collaborative research, inform policy decisions and thereby fill a significant research infrastructure gap in Africa's most populous country.

Awareness of HIV serostatus by sex partners of women living with HIV in North-Central Nigeria: correlates and predictive analyses.

Non-communication of HIV status among sex partners is a notable hurdle in halting transmission, largely due to socio-cultural factors. This study aimed to predict the determinants of male partners' awareness of women's serostatus. A total of 8825 women of reproductive age living with HIV who were clients at five comprehensive HIV treatment centres in Benue State, North-Central Nigeria were surveyed between June and December 2017, and 6655 reported having a sexual partner at the time of the survey selected for analysis. A regression model was used to estimate the determinants of male partner awareness of serostatus from the perspective of women. Conditional marginal analyses were conducted to evaluate the marginal effects of identified predictors on the probability of outcomes. Partners of married women were found to have greater odds of being aware of their spouse's serostatus (adjusted OR (aOR): 3.20; 95%CI: 2.13-4.81) than non-married partners. Similarly, the odds of male partner awareness increased with the years women had been on antiretroviral therapy (aOR: 1.13; 95%CI: 1.07-1.20). The probability of partners of married respondents being aware of their spouse's HIV serostatus was 97%. The conditional marginal effects of being educated to primary or higher level were 1.2 (95% CI: -0.2 to 2.7) and 1.8 (95% CI: 0.09-3.4) percentage points higher respectively when compared with women with no formal education. Being unemployed or being a trader significantly decreased the probability of partners being aware of respondents' serostatus when compared with farmers; conditional marginal effects of -6.7 (95% CI: -12.0 to -1.4) and -3.9 (95% CI: -5.7 to -2.2) percentage points, respectively. The study found that relationship status and girl-child education are factors that can improve communication of HIV status to sex partners. Policies and interventions aimed at improving the social determinants of health, and social support for healthy communications in relationships, are recommended to reduce HIV transmission between sex partners.

Hepatitis B infection and risk factors among pregnant women and their male partners in the Baby Shower Programme in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the population prevalence and determinants of hepatitis B (Hep B) status, and status discordance, among pregnant women and their male partners in Nigeria. METHODS: Cross-sectional study assessing the seroprevalence of Hep B virus in a cohort of 16 920 pregnant women and their male partners in northcentral Nigeria. Rapid HBsAg antibody test was used for Hep B diagnosis. Demographic, socio-economic and behavioural information was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires and evaluated as determinants of Hep B status and couple status discordance using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 16 920 participants who had a Hep B test result, 6750 couples and 1316 discordant couples were identified. The prevalence of Hep B among all participants was 10.9%, with lower prevalence among pregnant women (10.2%) than their male partners (11.9%), P < 0.001. The prevalence of Hep B sero-discordance among couples was 19.5% (1316/6750). Younger age, prior Hep B testing and a prior positive Hep B test increased the odds of Hep B infection while being a woman decreased the odds of Hep B among all participants, and among couples. Furthermore, polygamy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.87), prior Hep B testing (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.14-4.97) and a prior positive Hep B test result were significant determinants of status discordance among the participating couples. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Hep B among pregnant women and their male partners in northcentral Nigeria is high. A large-scale intervention is required to reduce Hep B prevalence in this setting.

OBJECTIFS: Déterminer la prévalence dans la population et les déterminants du statut de l'hépatite B (Hep B) et de la discordance de statut chez les femmes enceintes et leurs partenaires masculins au Nigéria. MÉTHODES: Etude transversale évaluant la séroprévalence du virus Hep B dans une cohorte de 16.920 femmes enceintes et leurs partenaires masculins dans le centre-nord du Nigéria. Un test rapide des anticorps anti-HBsAg a été utilisé pour le diagnostic de l'Hep B. Des informations démographiques, socio-économiques et comportementales ont été recueillies au moyen de questionnaires administrés par les intervieweurs et évaluées en tant que déterminants du statut Hep B et de la discordance du statut de couple à l'aide de la régression logistique. RÉSULTATS: Sur 16.920 participants qui avaient un résultat de dépistage de l'Hep B, 6.750 couples et 1.316 couples discordants ont été identifiés. La prévalence de l'Hep B chez tous les participants était de 10,9%, avec une prévalence plus faible chez les femmes enceintes (10,2%) que chez leurs partenaires masculins (11,9%), p <0,001. La prévalence de la séro-discordance de l'Hep B chez les couples était de 19,5% (1.316/6.750). Un âge plus jeune, un dépistage antérieur de l'Hep B et un test Hep B positif antérieur augmentaient les risques d'infection à l'Hep B alors que le sexe féminin diminuait les risques d'Hep B chez tous les participants et parmi les couples. De plus, la polygamie (rapport de cotes ajusté [AOR]: 1,49, intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95%: 1,19-1,87), un dépistage antérieur de l'Hep B (AOR: 2,38 ; IC95%: 1,14-4,97) et un test hépatique B positif antérieur résultat étaient des déterminants significatifs de la discordance de statut parmi les couples participants. CONCLUSION: La prévalence de l'Hep B chez les femmes enceintes et leurs partenaires masculins dans le centre-nord du Nigéria est élevée. Une intervention à grande échelle est nécessaire pour réduire la prévalence de l'Hep B dans cette région.

High prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among men in North Central Nigeria: Results from the Healthy Beginning Initiative.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria is high and growing. The burden and risk factor distribution also vary by geographical zone. Information about prevalence, risk factors and disease status awareness are needed to guide evidence based public health response at the national and sub- national levels. PURPOSE: This paper describes the prevalence of hypertension and its correlates, as well as hypertension status awareness among men in North Central, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was administered to male partners of pregnant women participating in the Healthy Beginning Initiative program from 2016-2018. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors, physical measurement and blood pressure readings were collected using a standardized protocol. Data was analyzed with simple and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The 6,538 men had a median age of 31 years [IQR: 26-37]. The prevalence of hypertension was 23.3% (95% CI: 22.3%-24.4%), while 46.7% had prehypertension. The odds of hypertension was associated with increasing age (OR:1.02, CI:1.01-1.03), being overweight (aOR:1.5,CI:1.3-1.8), being obese (aOR:2.6,CI:2.0-3.3), living in an urban area (aOR:1.6,CI:1.2-2.1), and alcohol use in the 30 days prior (aOR:1.2,CI:1.1-1.4). Overall, 4.5% (297/6,528) of participants had ever been told they have hypertension. Among the 23.3% (1,527/6,528) with hypertension, 7.1% (109/1,527) were aware of their disease status. Men aged 41-50 years (aOR: 1.8, CI: 1.0-3.3), and > 50 years (aOR: 2.2, CI: 1.1-4.3), had higher odds disease status awareness. Living in an urban area was associated with lower odds (aOR: 0.2, CI: 0.03-0.7) of hypertension status awareness. CONCLUSION: This study showed that hypertension is already a significant public health burden in this population and that disease awareness level is very low. Alcohol use and obesity were associated with hypertension, highlighting some modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors that are prevalent in the study population. Taken together, these findings can inform the design of interventions for primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention in Nigeria and similar settings.

Evaluation and Management of the Infant Exposed to HIV in the United States.

Pediatricians play a crucial role in optimizing the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV infection. Pediatricians provide antiretroviral prophylaxis to infants born to women with HIV type 1 (HIV) infection during pregnancy and to those whose mother's status was first identified during labor or delivery. Infants whose mothers have an undetermined HIV status should be tested for HIV infection within the boundaries of state laws and receive presumptive HIV therapy if the results are positive. Pediatricians promote avoidance of postnatal HIV transmission by advising mothers with HIV not to breastfeed. Pediatricians test the infant exposed to HIV for determination of HIV infection and monitor possible short- and long-term toxicity from antiretroviral exposure. Finally, pediatricians support families living with HIV by providing counseling to parents or caregivers as an important component of care.

Sero-prevalence and determinants of Hepatitis B among a cohort of HIV-infected women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Sub-Saharan Africa houses over two-thirds of the 37 million people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) globally and of this, 5-20% are co-infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV). This is double jeopardy, especially for women of reproductive age in these settings, who can transmit both viruses vertically as well as horizontally to their children. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and determinants of HBV among women of reproductive age living with HIV. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of HIV-infected women of reproductive age in Benue State, Nigeria. Participants were eligible for the study if they were HIV-infected women (ages 18-45 years) receiving care from any of the selected study sites. A global rapid hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) antibody test strip was used to test for HBsAg in plasma. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics of participants. We estimated prevalence of HBV infection and used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with the infection at a significance level of <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 6577 women were screened for HBsAg. The prevalence of HBV was 10.3% (95% CI: 9.5-10.9%). Age, parity and male partner's HIV status were found to be associated with having HBV infection. Compared to women older than 40 years, the odds of HBV infection increased significantly with increasing age until age 35 years and decreased significantly with increasing parity (versus no parity). Women with HIV-infected partners and those without a partner had higher odds of HBV infection compared to women with HIV-negative partners. CONCLUSION: HBV is hyperendemic among HIV-infected women of reproductive age in North Central Nigeria. Specific programs targeting HBV testing, vaccination and treatment of all women of reproductive age need to be developed in this resource-limited, high-need setting.

Can traditional bonesetters become trained technicians? Feasibility study among a cohort of Nigerian traditional bonesetters.

BACKGROUND: Traditional bonesetters (TBS) provide the majority of primary fracture care in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They are widely patronized and their services are commonly associated with complications. The aim of the study was to establish the feasibility of formal training of TBS and subsequent integration into the healthcare system. METHODS: Two focus group discussions were conducted involving five TBS and eight orthopaedic surgeons in Enugu Nigeria. Audio-recordings made during the focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: Training of TBS, their experiences and challenges; perception of traditional bonesetting by orthopaedic surgeons; need for formal training TBS and willingness to offer and accept formal training to improve TBS practice. Participants (TBS group) acquired their skills through informal training by apprenticeship from relatives and family members. They recognized the need to formalize their training and were willing to accept training support from orthopaedists. The orthopaedists recognized that the TBS play a vital role in filling the gap created by shortage of orthopaedic surgeons and are willing to provide training support to them. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of providing formal training to TBS by orthopaedic surgeons to improve the quality of services and outcomes of TBS treatment. This is critical for integration of TBS into the primary healthcare system as orthopaedic technicians. Undoubtedly, this will transform the trauma system in Nigeria and other LMICs where TBS are widely patronized.

Targeted HIV testing for male partners of HIV-positive pregnant women in a high prevalence setting in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Partner HIV testing during pregnancy has remained abysmally low in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria. Males rarely attend antenatal clinics with their female partners, limiting the few opportunities available to offer them HIV testing. In this study, we evaluated the scale-up of the Healthy Beginning Initiative (HBI), a community-driven evidenced-based intervention to increase HIV testing among pregnant women and their male partners. Our objectives were to determine the: (1) male partner participation rate; (2) prevalence of HIV among male partners of pregnant women; (3) factors associated with HIV positivity among male partners of HIV-positive pregnant women. METHODS: We reviewed program data of expectant parents enrolled in HBI in Benue State, north-central Nigeria. During HBI, trained lay health workers provided educational and counseling sessions, and offered free onsite integrated testing for HIV, hepatitis B virus and sickle cell genotype to pregnant women and their male partners who participated in incentivized, church-organized baby showers. Each participant completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on demographics, lifestyle habits, and HIV testing history. Chi-square test was used to compare the characteristics of HIV-positive and HIV-negative male partners. Simple and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association between participants' characteristics and HIV positivity among male partners of HIV-positive women. RESULTS: Male partner participation rate was 57% (5264/9231). Overall HIV prevalence was 6.1% (891/14495) with significantly higher rates in women (7.4%, 681/9231) compared to men (4.0%, 210/5264). Among the 681 HIV-positive women, 289 male partners received HIV testing; 37.7% (109/289) were found to be HIV-positive. In multivariate analysis, older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-4.72 for age 30-39 years vs. <30 years; aOR: 2.39, CI: 1.18-4.82 for age ≥40 years vs. <30 years) and self-reported daily alcohol intake (vs. never (aOR: 0.35, CI: 0.13-0.96)) were associated with HIV positivity in male partners of HIV-positive women. CONCLUSION: The community-based congregational approach is a potential strategy to increase male partner HIV testing towards achieving the UNAIDS goal of 90% HIV screening. Targeting male partners of HIV-positive women for screening may provide a higher yield of HIV diagnosis and the opportunity to engage known positives in care in this population.

Reliability of Self-Reported Mobile Phone Ownership in Rural North-Central Nigeria: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: mHealth practitioners seek to leverage the ubiquity of the mobile phone to increase the impact and robustness of their interventions, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, data on the reliability of self-reported mobile phone access is minimal. OBJECTIVE: We sought to ascertain the reliability of self-reported ownership of and access to mobile phones among a population of rural dwellers in north-central Nigeria. METHODS: We contacted participants in a community-based HIV testing program by phone to determine actual as opposed to self-reported mobile phone access. A phone script was designed to conduct these calls and descriptive analyses conducted on the findings. RESULTS: We dialed 349 numbers: 110 (31.5%) were answered by participants who self-reported ownership of the mobile phone; 123 (35.2%) of the phone numbers did not ring at all; 28 (8.0%) rang but were not answered; and 88 (25.2%) were answered by someone other than the participant. We reached a higher proportion of male participants (68/133, 51.1%) than female participants (42/216, 19.4%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported access to mobile phones in rural and low-income areas in north-central Nigeria is higher than actual access. This has implications for mHealth programming, particularly for women's health. mHealth program implementers and researchers need to be cognizant of the low reliability of self-reported mobile phone access. These observations should therefore affect sample-size calculations and, where possible, alternative means of reaching research participants and program beneficiaries should be established.

A Patient-Held Smartcard With a Unique Identifier and an mHealth Platform to Improve the Availability of Prenatal Test Results in Rural Nigeria: Demonstration Study.

BACKGROUND: Community-based strategies to test for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and sickle cell disease (SCD) have expanded opportunities to increase the proportion of pregnant women who are aware of their diagnosis. In order to use this information to implement evidence-based interventions, these results have to be available to skilled health providers at the point of delivery. Most electronic health platforms are dependent on the availability of reliable Internet connectivity and, thus, have limited use in many rural and resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVE: Here we describe our work on the development and deployment of an integrated mHealth platform that is able to capture medical information, including test results, and encrypt it into a patient-held smartcard that can be read at the point of delivery without the need for an Internet connection. METHODS: We engaged a team of implementation scientists, public health experts, and information technology specialists in a requirement-gathering process to inform the design of a prototype for a platform that uses smartcard technology, database deployment, and mobile phone app development. Key design decisions focused on usability, scalability, and security. RESULTS: We successfully designed an integrated mHealth platform and deployed it in 4 health facilities across Benue State, Nigeria. We developed the Vitira Health platform to store test results of HIV, HBV, and SCD in a database, and securely encrypt the results on a Quick Response code embedded on a smartcard. We used a mobile app to read the contents on the smartcard without the need for Internet connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that it is possible to develop a patient-held smartcard and an mHealth platform that contains vital health information that can be read at the point of delivery using a mobile phone-based app without an Internet connection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03027258; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03027258 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6owR2D0kE).

An mHealth Framework to Improve Birth Outcomes in Benue State, Nigeria: A Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND: The unprecedented coverage of mobile technology across the globe has led to an increase in the use of mobile health apps and related strategies to make health information available at the point of care. These strategies have the potential to improve birth outcomes, but are limited by the availability of Internet services, especially in resource-limited settings such as Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective is to determine the feasibility of developing an integrated mobile health platform that is able to collect data from community-based programs, embed collected data into a smart card, and read the smart card using a mobile phone-based app without the need for Internet access. Our secondary objectives are to determine (1) the acceptability of the smart card among pregnant women and (2) the usability of the smart card by pregnant women and health facilities in rural Nigeria. METHODS: We will leverage existing technology to develop a platform that integrates a database, smart card technology, and a mobile phone-based app to read the smart cards. We will recruit 300 pregnant women with one of the three conditions-HIV, hepatitis B virus infection, and sickle cell trait or disease-and four health facilities in their community. We will use Glasgow's Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework as a guide to assess the implementation, acceptability, and usability of the mHealth platform. RESULTS: We have recruited four health facilities and 300 pregnant women with at least one of the eligible conditions. Over the course of 3 months, we will complete the development of the mobile health platform and each participant will be offered a smart card; staff in each health facility will receive training on the use of the mobile health platform. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study could offer a new approach to making health data from pregnant women available at the point of delivery without the need for an Internet connection. This would allow clinicians to implement evidence-based interventions in real time to improve health outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03027258; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03027258 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6owR2D0kE).