Browsing by Author "Okonkwor, O."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Adaptation of evidence-based approaches to promote HIV testing and treatment engagement among high-risk Nigerian youth
(Public Library of Science, 2021-10) Kuhns, L. M.; Johnson, A. K.; Adetunji, A.; Kuti, K. M.; Garofalo, R.; Omigbodun, O.; Awolude, O. A.; Oladeji, B. D.; Berzins, B.; Okonkwor, O.; Amoo, O. P.; Olomola, O.; Taiwo, B.
Nigeria has the second highest number of people living with HIV (PLWH) globally, and evidence- based approaches are needed to achieve national goals to identify, treat, and reduce new infections. Youth between the ages of 15–24, including young men who have sex with men (YMSM), are disproportionately impacted by the Nigerian HIV epidemic. The purpose of this study was to inform adaptation of evidence-based peer navigation and mHealth approaches (social media outreach to promote HIV testing; short messaging service text message reminders to promote HIV treatment engagement) to the local context within iCARE Nigeria, a multi-phase study designed to investigate combination interventions to promote HIV testing and care engagement among youth in Nigeria. Methods To elicit expert and community perspectives, a local group of advisors from academia, community, and governmental sectors provided feedback on intervention adaptation, which then informed a series of focus groups with stakeholders in Ibadan, Nigeria. Focus group data were collected over a period of three days in December of 2018. Participants in focus groups included YMSM and HIV-positive youth in care ages 16–24, and HIV service providers from local AIDS service organizations (ASO). Groups were stratified by HIV serostatus, gender, and stakeholder type. Focus group sessions were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a content analysis approach. Results Local experts recommended intervention adaptations specific to the status of peer navigators as volunteers, peer characteristics (slightly older age, high maturity level, HIV/YMSM status), and intervention characteristics and resources (low navigator to peer ratio; flexible matching by demographic and social characteristics; social media platforms and content). Five focus group discussions with stakeholders, including 27 participants were conducted to elicit feedback on these and other potential adaptations. Youth participants (n = 21) were mean age 20 years (range = 16–24); 76% HIV-positive, 76% men and 48% MSM. Service providers (n = 6) represented both HIV prevention and care services. Participants across stratified subgroups reported largely positive perceptions and high perceived acceptability of both mHealth and peer navigation strategies, and echoed the recommendations of the advisory group for volunteer-based navigators to promote altruism, with a low navigator peer ratio (1:5). Participants emphasized the need to incorporate minimal mobile data use strategies and popular social media platforms among YMSM (e.g., Facebook, Grindr) for widespread access and reach of the interventions. Conclusions In Ibadan, Nigeria, stakeholders support the adaptation of combined mHealth and peer navigation strategies to promote HIV testing and care engagement among high-risk youth. Recommended adaptations for the local context reflect concerns about the feasibility and sustainability of the intervention and are expected to improve accessibility and acceptability.
Adaptation of evidence-based approaches to promote HIV testing and treatment engagement among high-risk Nigerian youth
(Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2021) Kuhns, L. M.; Johnson, A. K.; Adetunji, A.; Kuti, K. M.; Garofalo, R.; Omigbodun, O.; Awolude, O. A.; Oladeji, B. D.; Berzins, B.; Okonkwor, O.; Amoo, O. P.; Olomola, O.; Taiwo, B.
Background Nigeria has the second highest number of people living with HIV (PLWH) globally, and evi- dence-based approaches are needed to achieve national goals to identify, treat, and reduce new infections. Youth between the ages of 15–24, including young men who have sex with men (YMSM), are disproportionately impacted by the Nigerian HIV epidemic. The purpose of this study was to inform adaptation of evidence-based peer navigation and mHealth approaches (social media outreach to promote HIV testing; short messaging service text message reminders to promote HIV treatment engagement) to the local context within iCARE Nigeria, a multi-phase study designed to investigate combination interventions to promote HIV testing and care engagement among youth in Nigeria. Methods To elicit expert and community perspectives, a local group of advisors from academia, com- munity, and governmental sectors provided feedback on intervention adaptation, which then informed a series of focus groups with stakeholders in Ibadan, Nigeria. Focus group data were collected over a period of three days in December of 2018. Participants in focus groups included YMSM and HIV-positive youth in care ages 16–24, and HIV service providers from local AIDS service organizations (ASO). Groups were stratified by HIV serostatus, gender, and stakeholder type. Focus group sessions were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a content analy- sis approach. Results Local experts recommended intervention adaptations specific to the status of peer naviga- tors as volunteers, peer characteristics (slightly older age, high maturity level, HIV/YMSM status), and intervention characteristics and resources (low navigator to peer ratio; flexible matching by demographic and social characteristics; social media platforms and content). Five focus group discussions with stakeholders, including 27 participants were conducted to elicit feedback on these and other potential adaptations. Youth participants (n = 21) were mean age 20 years (range = 16–24); 76% HIV-positive, 76% men and 48% MSM. Service providers (n = 6) represented both HIV prevention and care services. Participants across stratified subgroups reported largely positive perceptions and high perceived acceptability of both mHealth and peer navigation strategies, and echoed the recommendations of the advisory group for volunteer-based navigators to promote altruism, with a low navigator- peer ratio (1:5). Participants emphasized the need to incorporate minimal mobile data use strategies and popular social media platforms among YMSM (e.g., Facebook, Grindr) for widespread access and reach of the interventions. Conclusions In Ibadan, Nigeria, stakeholders support the adaptation of combined mHealth and peer navi- gation strategies to promote HIV testing and care engagement among high-risk youth. Rec- ommended adaptations for the local context reflect concerns about the feasibility and sustainability of the intervention and are expected to improve accessibility and acceptability.
Effect of text messaging plus peer navigation on viral suppression among youth with HIV in the iCARE Nigeria pilot study
(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (Wolters Kluwer), 2021) Taiwo, B. O.; Kuti, K. M.; Kuhns, L. M.; Omigbodun, O.; Awolude, O.; Adetunji, A.; Berzins, B.; Janulis, P.; Johnson, A. K.; Okonkwor, O.; Oladeji, B. D.; Muldoon, A.; Adewumi, O. M.; Amoo, P.; Atunde, H.; Kapogiannis, B.; Garofalo, R.
Background—Consistent with the global trend, youth with HIV (YWH) in Nigeria have high rates of viral non-suppression. Novel interventions are needed. Methods—In a single-arm trial, participants aged 15–24 years old received 48 weeks of a combination intervention, comprising daily two-way text message medication reminders plus peer navigation. The primary outcome measure was viral suppression below 200 copies/mL. Secondary outcomes measures included self-reported adherence on a visual analogue scale and medication possession ratio (MPR), each dichotomized as ≥90% (good) or < 90% (poor) adherence. Outcomes were analyzed using McNemar’s test. Retention in care, intervention feasibility and acceptability, and participants’ satisfaction were also assessed. Results—Forty YWH (50% male) were enrolled: mean age 19.9 years (SD=2.5), 55% perinatally-infected, and 35% virologically suppressed at baseline. Compared to baseline, the odds of virologic suppression was higher at 24 weeks (OR = 14.00, p < 0.001) and 48 weeks (OR = 6.00, p = 0.013). Self-reported adherence (≥90%) increased from baseline at 24 weeks (63%, p = 0.008) and 48 weeks (68%, p = 0.031). MPR ≥90% increased at weeks 24 and 48 (85% and 80%, respectively), achieving statistical significance at 24 weeks only (p = 0.022). Retention in care at 48 weeks was 87.5%. All (37/37) participants at week 48 were fully or mostly satisfied with the intervention. Conclusion—Daily, two-way text message reminders plus peer navigation is a promising combination intervention to improve viral suppression among YWH in Nigeria.
Evaluation of the iCARE Nigeria pilot intervention using social media and peer navigation to promote HIV testing and linkage to care among high-risk young men: a nonrandomized controlled trial
(2022-02) Garofalo, R.; Adetunji, A.; Kuhns, L. M.; Omigbodun, O.; Johnson, A. K.; Kuti, K. M.; Awolude, O. A.; Berzins, B.; Janulis, P.; Okonkwor, O.; Oladeji, B.; Muldoon, A. L.; Amoo, O. P.; Atunde, H.; Kapogiannis, B.; Taiwo, B. O.
IMPORTANCE Nigeria has the fourth-largest HIV epidemic globally, yet high levels of social stigma inhibit HIV testing among Nigerian youths and young men who have sex with men (MSM). OBJECTIVE To report pilot data from iCARE Nigeria (Intensive Combination Approach to Roll Back the Epidemic in Nigerian Adolescents), a combination intervention using social media and peer navigation to promote HIV testing and linkage to care among high-risk youths and young men (hereinafter referred to as young men), including predominantly young MSM. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This nonrandomized controlled study assessed an organizational and community-level 12-month, preintervention-postintervention pilot trial of a combination intervention designed to increase HIV testing uptake, increase the rate of identified seropositive cases, and improve linkage to care among young men, including MSM, using social media outreach and peer navigation. Data were collected from June 1, 2019, to May 30, 2020. Participants were young men aged 15 to 24 years in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria, and surrounding areas. Frequencies and percentages were examined, and a Fisher exact test was used to evaluate outcomes compared with historical surveillance data. Linkage to care was defined as 2 clinic visits, including HIV confirmation, within 2 months of a positive rapid test result. INTERVENTION Four peer navigators conducted social media outreach promoting sexual health and guiding individuals to HIV counseling and rapid testing in clinical, community, or home-based settings. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Primary outcomes included the number of young men tested for HIV at university-based iCARE catchment clinics or by iCARE peer navigators in the community, the postintervention HIV seroprevalence of these groups, and linkage to care of participants diagnosed with HIV infection. RESULTS A total of 339 participants underwent testing for HIV (mean [SD] age, 21.7 [1.9] years), with 283 (83.5%) referred through social media. The main referral sources for social media were WhatsApp (124 [43.8%]), Facebook (101 [35.7%]), and Grindr (57 [20.1%]). Regarding testing location, participants chose home (134 [39.5%]), community-based (202 [59.6%]), or clinic (3 [0.9%]) settings. Eighty-six participants reported no prior HIV testing. Thirty-six participants (10.6%) were confirmed as HIV seropositive; among those, 18 (50.0%) reported negative test results within the past year, and 31 (86.1%) were linked to care. In two 6-month follow-up periods, the intervention increased HIV testing by 42%and 31%, respectively, and seroprevalence increased compared with historical trends with odds ratios of 3.37 (95%CI, 1.43-8.02; P = .002) and 2.74 (95%CI, 1.10-7.11; P = .02), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that use of iCARE Nigeria was associated with increased HIV testing and linkage to care in a high-risk, difficult-to-reach population, making it a promising combination intervention for young MSM.