Publications by authors named "Tahir Umar"
Background: Reference intervals are assessment tools for interpretation of clinical test results. These intervals describe the dispersion of test parameter values of apparently healthy persons in defined populations as health status indicators. Using reference intervals obtained and validated in populations outside the geographical region of derivation for medical decision-making may impact negatively on clinical interpretation and patient management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStrengthening service integration for effective linkage of HIV-positive mothers to antiretroviral treatment: a cross-sectional study in two military health facilities in Kaduna, Nigeria, 2014.
Pan Afr Med J
April 2019
Introduction: strong PMTCT-ART service linkages ensure continuity of care for healthier mothers and children born HIV free. Program data showed weak PMTCT- ART linkages in military health facilities. We conducted a study to assess the PMTCT-adult ART service linkage in two Nigerian military health facilities in Kaduna State.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Haematological reference values are necessary for accurate diagnosis of diseases, clinical decision-making, treatment monitoring and clinical research. Due to unavailability of pan-Nigerian reference values, local results interpretation is based on the use of Western values.
Objective: This study aims to establish national reference values for some haematological parameters in apparently healthy young adult Nigerians.
Article Synopsis
- The study assessed the effectiveness of first-line antiretroviral therapy among 325 HIV patients in four Nigerian military hospitals, aiming to measure virological suppression.
- Results showed that 86.3% of participants had HIV viral RNA below the critical threshold of 1000 copies/ml, indicating successful treatment.
- However, among those not achieving suppression, a significant proportion exhibited drug resistance mutations, highlighting the importance of monitoring for treatment failure as recommended by WHO guidelines.
Background: The Nigerian Ministry of Defence-Walter Reed Army Institute of Research partnership was established in 2004 in response to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria.
Methods: Here we discuss the emergence of HIV in Nigeria, highlighting the initial barriers to treatment delivery, and outline the origins of the international military-to-military partnership developed to confront the disease.
Results: With financial support from the United States President's Plan for AIDS Relief and Nigerian Government Counterpart Funding, we demonstrate how this program led to a successful and sustainable response in the fight against HIV in Nigeria.