Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV service delivery and viral suppression: Findings from the SHARP program in Northern Nigeria.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, HIV programs scaled up differentiated service delivery (DSD) models for people living with HIV (PLHIV). We evaluated the effects of COVID-19 on HIV service delivery and viral suppression in facilities in Northern Nigeria, and determined factors associated with viral suppression among adolescents and adults. We analysed a cross-sectional survey data from facility heads, and retrospective, routinely collected patient data from 63 facilities for PLHIV ≥10 years old in care between April 2019-March 2021, defining study periods as "pre-COVID-19" (before April 2020) and "during COVID-19" (after April 2020).

Effect of Multi-Month Dispensing on Viral Suppression for Newly Enrolled Adolescents and Adults in Northern Nigeria.

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of multi-month dispensing (MMD) on viral suppression among newly enrolled adolescents and adults with HIV in 11 northern Nigerian states.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of longitudinal data from 75 health facilities. We abstracted electronic medical records for patients ≥10 years, initiated on ART April 1, 2019 - June 30, 2021, and with a 6- or 12-month viral load (VL) result.

Differentiated service delivery models for antiretroviral treatment refills in Northern Nigeria: Experiences of people living with HIV and health care providers-A qualitative study.

Differentiated service delivery (DSD) and multi-month dispensing (MMD) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have improved treatment adherence and viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV), and service delivery efficiency. We assessed the experiences of PLHIV and providers with DSD and MMD in Northern Nigeria. We conducted in-depth interviews (IDI) with 40 PLHIV and 6 focus group discussions (FGD) with 39 health care providers across 5 states, exploring their experiences with 6 DSD models.

Effect of Dolutegravir and Multimonth Dispensing on Viral Suppression Among Children With HIV.

Background: Few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have assessed the impact of multimonth dispensing (MMD) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and dolutegravir (DTG) beyond clinical trials among children with HIV (CWHIV). We assessed the effect of the 2 interventions on achieving undetectable viral load (VL) among CWHIV in the age group of 0-15 years in Nigeria.

Methods: We used longitudinal routine records and cross-sectional survey data from caregivers of a subsample of children.