The burden of recording and reporting health data in primary health care facilities in five low- and lower-middle income countries.

Background: Recording and reporting health data in facilities is the backbone of routine health information systems which provide data collected by health facility workers during service provision. Data is firstly collected in a register, to record patient health data and care process, and tallied into nationally designed reporting forms. While there is anecdotal evidence of large numbers of registers and reporting forms for primary health care (PHC) facilities, there are few systematic studies to document this potential burden on health workers.

The Nigerian health information system policy review of 2014 : the need, content, expectations and progress.

Background: Nigeria's national health information system (HIS) data sources are grouped into institutional and population based data that traverse many government institutions. Communication and collaboration between these institutions are limited, fraught with fragmentation and challenges national HIS functionality.

Objectives: The objective of this paper was to share insights from and the implications of a recent review of Nigeria's HIS policy in 2014 that resulted in its substantial revision.

Potential use cases for the development of an electronic health facility registry in Nigeria: Key informant's perspectives.

Background: Master facility lists (MFL) maintain an important standard (unique identifier) in country health information systems that will aid integration and interoperability of multiple health facility based data sources. However, this standard is not readily available in several low and middle income countries where reliable data is most needed for efficient planning. The World Health Organization in 2012 drew up guidelines for the creation of MFLs in countries but this guideline still requires domestication and process modeling for each country adopting it.

A Decade of Monitoring HIV Epidemics in Nigeria: Positioning for Post-2015 Agenda.

Background: Nigeria accounts for 9% of the global HIV burden and is a signatory to Millennium Development Goals as well as the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. This paper reviews maturation of her HIV M&E system and preparedness for monitoring of the post-2015 agenda.

Methods: Using the UNAIDS criteria for assessing a functional M&E system, a mixed-methods approach of desk review and expert consultations, was employed.

Development of a master health facility list in Nigeria.

Unlabelled: Abstract.

Introduction: Routine Health Information Systems (RHIS) are increasingly transitioning to electronic platforms in several developing countries. Establishment of a Master Facility List (MFL) to standardize the allocation of unique identifiers for health facilities can overcome identification issues and support health facility management.

High HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in Nigeria: implications for combination prevention.

Background: This study provides population-based estimates of HIV prevalence and factors associated with HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 3 large cities in Nigeria. We aimed to increase the knowledge base of the evolving HIV epidemic among MSM, highlight risk factors that may fuel the epidemic, and inform future HIV prevention packages.

Methods: A total of 712 MSM, aged 18 years and older, living in Abuja, Ibadan, and Lagos were recruited using respondent-driven sampling.

Sexual risk behaviors and HIV among female sex workers in Nigeria.

Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) account for about 20% of new HIV infections in Nigeria. We estimated the change in HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors between 2 consecutive rounds of integrated biological and behavioral surveillance surveys (IBBSSs) and determined correlates of HIV transmission among FSWs.

Methods: In 2007 and 2010, HIV prevalence and risk behavior data on brothel-based (BB) and non-brothel-based (NBB) FSWs from the integrated biological and behavioral surveillance survey were evaluated in 6 Nigerian states.

Virological response and HIV drug resistance 12 months after antiretroviral therapy initiation at 2 clinics in Nigeria.

This report describes a pilot study, conducted in Nigeria, of the World Health Organization protocol for monitoring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance (HIVDR) and associated program factors among patients receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). In 2008, 283 HIV-infected patients starting ART were consecutively enrolled at 2 ART clinics in Abuja. Twelve months after ART initiation, 62% were alive and on first-line ART, 3% had died, 1% had transferred out of the program, and 34% were lost to follow-up.

Dried blood spot specimens are a suitable alternative sample type for HIV-1 viral load measurement and drug resistance genotyping in patients receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is being administered in developing nations at unprecedented numbers following the World Health Organization's (WHO) development of standardized first-line drug regimens. To ensure continued efficacy of these drug regimens, WHO recommends monitoring virological responses and development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance (HIVDR) in HIV-infected patients in a prospective cohort. The current study compared dried fluid spot specimens with the reference standard plasma specimens as a practical tool for viral load (VL) and HIVDR genotyping in resource-limited settings.

HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among men having sex with men in Nigeria.

Objective: To evaluate HIV and syphilis prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria, and assess their HIV-related risk behaviours and exposure to HIV prevention interventions.

Methods: Cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling conducted in Lagos, Kano and Cross River states, Nigeria, between July and September 2007.

Results: A total of 879 MSM participated, 293 from each state.