ABSTRACT
Introduction: As at 2019, Nigeria was ranked the fourth highest HIV burden in the world. There is varied geographical HIV prevalence in Nigeria. The progress made is inequitable across geographical locations and sub-populations (18). Benue state has the second highest HIV prevalence in Nigeria. In 2018, about 35,623 people living with HIV (PLHIV) were yet to commence antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the state, accounting for an estimated ART coverage gap of 11% out of the combined gap of 320,921 in the country. To close this gap, the Benue ART surge (BAS) was implemented. The aim of this study was to describe the BAS strategic approaches and demonstrate progress in expanding ART access for PLHIV in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: BAS was implemented in 252 health facilities from May 2019 to September 2021. Data were collected and reported using an Excel-based dashboard and electronic medical records. The trend of HIV case identification, ART initiation, viral load suppression rate, and rate of interruption in treatment during the BAS period was then described and analyzed. Results: Out of 893,462 clients reached, 6.7% (n = 60,297) were diagnosed with HIV and 99.8% (n = 60,236) were initiated on ART. HIV case identification per month increased by 467% from 650 at baseline to a peak of 3685 in August 2020, and then declined by 35% to 2380 in September 2021. All new HIV-infected patients (100%) were linked to ART. Viral load testing coverage and viral load suppression rate increased from 30% (43,185/126,004) and 84% (n = 36,165/43,185) at baseline to 95% (n = 193,890/204,095) and 96% (185,785/193,890), respectively. Conclusion: Implementation of the BAS improved access to comprehensive HIV services in Benue State. The increase in HIV case identification and ART initiation significantly reduced the HIV treatment gap in the state. To fast track the attainment of UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals, lessons learnt from the BAS should be adapted and scaled up in the national HIV program in Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment program has grown exponentially in Nigeria largely due to improved Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen which has changed the course of HIV/AIDs by enabling patients to live longer, raising concern of the co-existence of HIV with other chronic illnesses, notably non communicable diseases (NCDs). This study determined the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among HIV positive patients in a tertiary institution in Makurdi, North-central Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the ART clinic among clients ≥ aged 21 years old living with HIV /or enrolled between October 2022, and March 30, 2023. The clients' information was extracted from the register using a Proforma and all the clients who had attended their follow up clinic visit within the study period were included in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among the 491 patients, 404 (82.3%) had HIV only and 87 (17.7%) had HIV and at least one comorbidity, namely DM and/or HTN. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity affecting 15.5% of the patients while 1.0% of them were diabetic. The middle aged (30-49) patients, females (63.2%) had the highest prevalence of comorbidities and some of those with normal weight (35.6%) also had the highest prevalence of NCDs.Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases are common among people living with HIV. There is need to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases in HIV positive patients in Nigeria.
