Risk factors of post-COVID-19 conditions attributed to COVID-19 disease in people aged ≥50 years in Europe and Israel.

OBJECTIVES: High age, male sex and pre-existing comorbidities are risk factors for a more severe development of COVID-19, and individuals surviving COVID-19 may experience persistent symptoms afterwards referred to as 'post-COVID-19 condition', which represents a range of symptoms after recovering from COVID-19. This study aims at identifying risk factors of post-COVID-19 conditions among people aged ≥50 years. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. METHODS: A multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate age, sex, education, comorbidities, smoking, body mass index, and COVID-19 hospitalisation as risk factors of post-COVID-19 condition. RESULTS: Participants aged ≥70 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.61) with medium (OR 2.38) and lower (OR 2.14) educational levels have a higher risk of post-COVID-19 conditions. In addition, when considering the severity of the COVID-19 disease, those who were hospitalised due to COVID-19 had a 26 times higher risk of post-COVID-19 conditions compared with those who were only tested positive (OR 25.9). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports that health inequalities exist across educational levels with respect to post-COVID-19 conditions, although misclassification may be more common among lower educated participants. The results suggest that policy makers should increase educational interventions towards increasing health literacy.

Magnetic Bead Processing Enables Sensitive Ligation-Based Detection of HIV Drug Resistance Mutations.

HIV develops single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), some of which lead to drug resistance mutations (DRMs) that prevent therapeutic viral suppression. Genomic sequencing enables healthcare professionals to select effective combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) to achieve and maintain viral suppression. However, sequencing technologies, which are resource-intensive, are limited in their availability. This report describes the first step toward a highly specific ligation-based SNP discrimination method with endpoint PCR detection, which is more suitable for resource-limited clinics. The approach is based on magnetic bead processing to maximize reaction product transfer and minimize the carryover of incompatible buffer for three consecutive enzymatic reactions─reverse transcription (RT), oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA), and PCR. The method improved PCR detection following RT → OLA by 8.06 cycles (∼250-fold) compared to direct pipette processing and detected between 103 and 104 RNA copies per reaction. In studies with synthesized nucleic acids based on the well-studied HIV mutation, K103N, the assay successfully differentiated between wild-type and mutant for RNA targets with high specificity. With further development, this design provides a pathway for SNP detection with more accessible PCR instrumentation and is a step toward a self-contained processing approach that incorporates the SNP specificity of the ligation reaction for more effective clinical management of DRMs in resource-constrained settings.

Etiology of Persistent Microalbuminuria in Nigeria (P_MICRO study): protocol and study design.

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease and a predictor of end organ damage, both in the general population and in persons with HIV (PWH). Microalbuminuria is also an important risk factor for mortality in PWH treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). In the ongoing Renal Risk Reduction (R3) study in Nigeria, we identified a high prevalence of microalbuminuria confirmed by two measurements 4-8 weeks apart in ART-experienced, virologically suppressed PWH. Although Stage 1 or 2 hypertension and exposure to potentially nephrotoxic antiretroviral medications were common in R3 participants, other traditional risk factors for albuminuria and kidney disease, including diabetes, APOL1 high-risk genotype, and smoking were rare. Co-infection with endemic pathogens may also be significant contributors to albuminuria, but co-infections were not evaluated in the R3 study population. METHODS: In Aim 1, we will cross-sectionally compare the prevalence of albuminuria and established kidney disease risk factors in a cohort of PWH to age- and sex-matched HIV-negative adults presenting for routine care at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, Nigeria. We will leverage stored specimens from 2500 R3 participants and enroll an additional 500 PLWH recently initiated on ART (≤ 24 months) and 750 age- and sex-matched HIV-negative adults to determine the contribution of HIV, hypertension, and other comorbid medical conditions to prevalent albuminuria. In Aim 2, we will follow a cohort of 1000 HIV-positive, ART-treated and 500 HIV-negative normoalbuminuric adults for 30 months to evaluate the incidence and predictors of albuminuria. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study will support the development of interventions to prevent or address microalbuminuria in PWH to reduce kidney and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Such interventions might include more intensive monitoring and treatment of traditional risk factors, the provision of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, consideration of changes in ART regimen, and screening and treatment for relevant co-infections.

Apolipoprotein-1 risk variants and associated kidney phenotypes in an adult HIV cohort in Nigeria.

HIV-positive adults are at risk for various kidney diseases, and apolipoprotein 1 (APOL1) high-risk genotypes increase this risk. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and ethnic distribution of APOL1 risk genotypes among a cohort of HIV-positive Nigerian adults and explore the relationship between APOL1 risk variant status with albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We conducted a cross-sectional study among 2 458 persons living with HIV who attended an HIV clinic in northern Nigeria and had received antiretroviral therapy for a minimum of six months. We collected two urine samples four-eight weeks apart to measure albumin excretion, and blood samples to measure eGFR and determine APOL1 genotype. The frequency of APOL1 high-risk genotype was 6.2%, which varied by ethnic group: Hausa/Fulani (2.1%), Igbo (49.1%), and Yoruba (14.5%). The prevalence of microalbuminuria (urine/albumin creatinine ratio 30- 300 mg/g) was 37%, and prevalence of macroalbuminuria (urine/albumin creatinine ratio over 300 mg/g) was 3%. The odds of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were higher for participants with the APOL1 high-risk genotype compared to those carrying the low-risk genotype ([adjusted odds ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval 1.37-2.82] and [3.96, 1.95-8.02] respectively). APOL1 high-risk genotype participants were at higher risk of having both an eGFR under 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and urine/albumin creatinine ratio over 300 mg/g (5.56, 1.57-19.69). Thus, we found a high proportion of HIV-positive, antiretroviral therapy-experienced, and largely virologically suppressed adults had microalbuminuria. Hence, although the high-risk APOL1 genotype was less prevalent than expected, it was strongly associated with some level of albuminuria.

Strategies for Successful Clinical Trial Recruitment of People Living with HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Lessons Learned and Implementation Implications from the Nigeria Renal Risk Reduction (R3) Trial.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Clinical trials represent a bedrock for measuring efficacy of interventions in biomedical research, but recruitment into clinical trials remains a challenge. Few data have focused on recruitment strategies from the perspective of clinical trial teams, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where HIV is most prevalent. RECENT FINDINGS: We summarized data from the literature and our experience with recruitment for the Renal Risk Reduction trial, aimed at reducing risk of kidney complications among people living with HIV in Nigeria. Using an implementation science framework, we identified strategies that contributed to successful clinical trial recruitment. For strategies that could not be categorized by this framework, we summarized key features according to selected action, actor, target, context, and time. We identified how these identified strategies could map to subsequent implementation outcomes at the patient and provider/health system level, as well as capacity-building efforts to meet needs identified by LMIC partners, which is a priority for success. Our experience highlights the importance of considering implementation outcomes, and the strategies necessary to achieve those outcomes early, in the planning and execution of clinical trials. Clinical trial recruitment can be optimized via methodologies grounded in implementation science.

The V-BRCH Project: building clinical trial research capacity for HIV and noncommunicable diseases in Nigeria.

Antiretroviral therapy has turned HIV into a chronic condition, with morbidity from HIV-associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) becoming more common as HIV-infected individuals live longer. In Nigeria, the additional challenge of an under-capacitated health system highlights the need for skilled clinical investigators who can generate evidence to tackle the double burden of HIV and NCDs. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Building Research Capacity in HIV and Non-communicable Diseases (V-BRCH) programme is a training platform to create a cohort of skilled Nigerian investigators with the capacity to lead independent clinical trial research focused on the intersection of HIV and NCDs. V-BRCH will solidify an atmosphere of continuous mentoring and skills acquisition for physician faculty at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital via short- and medium-term learning opportunities, paired mentoring arrangements, and mentored research projects. Trainees will attend an annual faculty enrichment programme in Nashville, in addition to on-site workshops in Nigeria on HIV-associated NCD epidemiology, clinical trials methodology, evidence synthesis, qualitative research methods, stakeholder engagement, knowledge translation, and grant writing. Research-oriented junior faculty will undergo focused training in clinical trials administration and regulatory oversight. Scholars will share best practices through mentoring panels, regular 'Works in Progress' meetings, and monthly career development seminars. Competitive seed grants will be provided to mentor-mentee teams to promote targeted in-country pilot studies focused on HIV-associated NCDs. For long-term training, physician scientists will be supported to undergo enhanced Master of Public Health (MPH) training at Bayero University in Nigeria and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) training at Vanderbilt. Short-term regional courses, staff development workshops, and MPH curriculum refinement will help to strengthen institutional capacity in HIV-associated NCD clinical trial research. V-BRCH will create a cohort of skilled Nigerian scientists who will be able to compete for independent funding and design and implement high quality research that will generate evidence to inform policy and practice and lead to improved outcomes for Nigerians impacted by HIV-associated NCDs.

Epidemiology and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in a high-prevalence population.

To understand increasing rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Tennessee, we conducted testing, risk factor analysis and a nested case-control study among persons who use drugs. During June-October 2016, HCV testing with risk factor assessment was conducted in sexually transmitted disease clinics, family planning clinics and an addiction treatment facility in eastern Tennessee; data were analysed by using multivariable logistic regression. A nested case-control study was conducted to assess drug-using risks and behaviours among persons who reported intranasal or injection drug use (IDU). Of 4753 persons tested, 397 (8.4%) were HCV-antibody positive. HCV infection was significantly associated with a history of both intranasal and IDU (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 35.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 24.1-51.9), IDU alone (aOR 52.7, CI 25.3-109.9), intranasal drug use alone (aOR 2.6, CI 1.8-3.9) and incarceration (aOR 2.7, CI 2.0-3.8). By 4 October 2016, 574 persons with a reported history of drug use; 63 (11%) were interviewed further. Of 31 persons who used both intranasal and injection drugs, 26 (84%) reported previous intranasal drug use, occurring 1-18 years (median 5.5 years) before their first IDU. Our findings provide evidence that reported IDU, intranasal drug use and incarceration are independent indicators of risk for past or present HCV infection in the study population.

The Impact of Statin and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor/Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Therapy on Cognitive Function in Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

BACKGROUND: Although statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are generally well tolerated, the impact of these therapies individually or in combination on the change in neurocognitive function in persons with human immunodeficiency virus infection is unknown. METHODS: The study included participants in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Longitudinal Linked Randomized Trials cohort participants not receiving a statin or ACEI/ARB within 30 days of first neurologic assessment (baseline), with assessments by NPZ-3 (z score of averaged Trailmaking A and B tests and digit symbol test [DST]) from ≥2 measurements. Marginal structural models estimated the causal effect of statin or ACEI/ARB initiation on neurocognitive function; initial constant slope was assumed during the first year of treatment and a second constant slope thereafter. RESULTS: Of 3949 eligible participants, 16% started therapy with a statin, 11% with an ACEI/ARB, and 5% with both. Statin therapy had no significant effect on the composite NPZ-3 (primary outcome), Trailmaking B test, or DST. A small, nonsignificant positive effect on the Trailmaking A test was seen during year 1 (estimate, 0.088; 95% confidence interval, -.010 to .187; P = .08) and a small but significant negative effect (-0.033; -.058 to -.009; P = .007) in each subsequent year. ACEI/ARB therapy had a significant negative effect on the DST (-0.117; 95% confidence interval, -.217 to .016; P = .02) during year 1 but minimal effect in subsequent years or on other neurocognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, although modest declines in neurocognitive performance were seen in single domains with statin or ACEI/ARB therapy, we did not find consistent evidence that statins or ACEI/ARB have an effect on global neurocognitive function. Future studies should focus on long-term neurocognitive effects.

Engagement of Men in Antenatal Care Services: Increased HIV Testing and Treatment Uptake in a Community Participatory Action Program in Mozambique.

Uptake of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) services during antenatal care (ANC) in rural Mozambique is disappointing. To nurture supportive male engagement in ANC services, we partnered with traditional birth attendants and trained a new type of male-to-male community health agent, "Male Champions", who focused on counseling male partners to create new, male-friendly community norms around engagement in spousal/partner pregnancies. We assessed ANC service uptake using a pre-post intervention design. The intervention was associated with increases in: (1) uptake of provider-initiated counseling and testing among pregnant woman (81 vs. 92 %; p < 0.001); (2) male engagement in ANC (5 vs. 34 %; p < 0.001); and (3) uptake of ART (8 vs. 19 %; p < 0.001). When men accepted HIV testing, rates of testing rose markedly among pregnant women. With the challenges in scale-up of Option B+ in sub-Saharan Africa, similar interventions may increase testing and treatment acceptability during pregnancy.

Barriers to Male Involvement in Antenatal Care in Rural Mozambique.

Low rates of antenatal care (ANC) service uptake limit the potential impact of mother-to-child HIV-prevention strategies. Zambézia province, Mozambique, has one of the lowest proportions of ANC uptake among pregnant women in the country, despite the availability of free services. We sought to identify factors influencing ANC service uptake (including HIV counseling and testing) through qualitative methods. In addition, we encouraged discussion about strategies to improve uptake of services. We conducted 14 focus groups to explore community views on these topics. Based on thematic coding of discourse, two main themes emerged: (a) gender inequality in decision making and responsibility for pregnancy and (b) community beliefs that uptake of ANC services, particularly, if supported by a male partner, reflects a woman's HIV-positive status. Interventions to promote ANC uptake must work to shift cultural norms through male partner participation. Potential strategies to promote male engagement in ANC services are discussed.

End-stage renal disease among HIV-infected adults in North America.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults, particularly those of black race, are at high-risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but contributing factors are evolving. We hypothesized that improvements in HIV treatment have led to declines in risk of ESRD, particularly among HIV-infected blacks. METHODS: Using data from the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration for Research and Design from January 2000 to December 2009, we validated 286 incident ESRD cases using abstracted medical evidence of dialysis (lasting >6 months) or renal transplant. A total of 38 354 HIV-infected adults aged 18-80 years contributed 159 825 person-years (PYs). Age- and sex-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were estimated by race. Poisson regression was used to identify predictors of ESRD. RESULTS: HIV-infected ESRD cases were more likely to be of black race, have diabetes mellitus or hypertension, inject drugs, and/or have a prior AIDS-defining illness. The overall SIR was 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-3.6) but was significantly higher among black patients (4.5 [95% CI, 3.9-5.2]). ESRD incidence declined from 532 to 303 per 100 000 PYs and 138 to 34 per 100 000 PYs over the time period for blacks and nonblacks, respectively, coincident with notable increases in both the prevalence of viral suppression and the prevalence of ESRD risk factors including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatitis C virus coinfection. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ESRD remains high among HIV-infected individuals in care but is declining with improvements in virologic suppression. HIV-infected black persons continue to comprise the majority of cases, as a result of higher viral loads, comorbidities, and genetic susceptibility.

Body mass index and the risk of incident noncommunicable diseases after starting antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity and HIV infection are associated with an increased incidence of noninfectious comorbid medical conditions, but the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has not been well characterized. METHODS: A cohort study of adults initiating ART between 1998 and 2010 at an academic centre with systematic laboratory and clinical data collection, including AIDS and NCD diagnoses, was carried out. The relationship between BMI at ART initiation and the risk of incident cardiovascular, hepatic, renal or oncological NCDs was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. BMI was fitted using restricted cubic splines and models adjusted for age, sex, race, CD4 count, protease inhibitor use, year of initiation, and prior AIDS-defining illness. RESULTS: Among 1089 patients in the analysis cohort, 54% had normal BMI, 28% were overweight, and 18% were obese. Baseline BMI was associated with developing an incident NCD (P<0.01), but the relationship was nonlinear. Compared with a BMI of 25 kg/m(2) , a BMI of 30 kg/m(2) conferred a lower risk of an incident NCD diagnosis [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40, 0.87]. This protective effect was attenuated at a BMI of 35 kg/m(2) (AHR 0.78; 95% CI 0.49, 1.23). Results were similar in sensitivity analyses incorporating tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use, statin and antihypertensive exposure, and virological suppression. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight individuals starting ART have a lower risk of developing NCDs compared with normal BMI individuals, which may reflect a biological effect of adipose tissue or differences in patient or provider behaviours.

Patient loss to follow-up before antiretroviral therapy initiation in rural Mozambique.

Within Mozambique's current HIV care system, there are numerous opportunities for a person to become lost to follow-up (LTFU) prior to initiating antiretroviral therapy (pre-ART). We explored pre-ART LTFU in Zambézia province utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. Patients were deemed LTFU if they were more than 60 days late for either a scheduled appointment or a CD4+ cell count blood draw, according to national guidelines. Among 13,968 adult patients registered for care, 211 (1.8 %) died, one transferred, 2,196 (15.7 %) initiated ART, and 9,195 (65.8 %) were LTFU during the first year. Being male, younger, less educated, and/or having no home electricity were associated with LTFU. Qualitative interviews revealed that poor clinical care, logistics and competing priorities contribute to attrition. In addition, many expressed fears of stigma and/or rejection by family or community members because they were HIV-infected. At 66 %, pre-ART LTFU in Zambézia, Mozambique is a significant problem. This study highlights characteristics of lost patients and discusses barriers requiring consideration to improve retention.

HIV testing service awareness and service uptake among female heads of household in rural Mozambique: results from a province-wide survey.

BACKGROUND: HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) utilization remains low in many sub-Saharan African countries, particularly in remote rural settings. We sought to identify factors associated with service awareness and service uptake of VCT among female heads of household in rural Zambézia Province of north-central Mozambique which is characterized by high HIV prevalence (12.6%), poverty, and suboptimal health service access and utilization. METHODS: Our population-based survey of female heads of household was administered to a representative two-stage cluster sample using a sampling frame created for use on all national surveys and based on census results. The data served as a baseline measure for the Ogumaniha project initiated in 2009. Survey domains included poverty, health, education, income, HIV stigma, health service access, and empowerment. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to describe service awareness and service uptake of VCT. RESULTS: Of 3708 women surveyed, 2546 (69%) were unaware of available VCT services. Among 1162 women who were aware of VCT, 673 (58%) reported no prior testing. In the VCT aware group, VCT awareness was associated with higher education (aOR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.61, 5.16), higher income (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.86), higher numeracy (aOR = 1.05, CI 1.03, 1.08), more children < age 5 in the home (aOR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.18), closer proximity to a health facility (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.07), and mobile phone ownership (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.84) (all p-values < 0.04). Having a higher HIV-associated stigma score was the factor most strongly associated with being less likely to test. (aOR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.23, 0.71; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most women were unaware of available VCT services. Even women who were aware of services were unlikely to have been tested. Expanded VCT and social marketing of VCT are needed in rural Mozambique with special attention to issues of community-level stigma reduction.

Mobile clinics for antiretroviral therapy in rural Mozambique.

PROBLEM: Despite seven years of investment from the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the expansion of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related services continues to challenge Mozambique's health-care infrastructure, especially in the country's rural regions. APPROACH: In 2012, as part of a national acceleration plan for HIV care and treatment, Namacurra district employed a mobile clinic strategy to provide temporary manpower and physical space to expand services at four rural peripheral clinics. This paper describes the strategy deployed, the uptake of services and the key lessons learnt in the first 18 months of implementation. LOCAL SETTING: In 2012, Namacurra´s adult population was estimated to be 125,425, and of those 15,803 were estimated to be HIV infected. Although there is consistent government support of antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes, national coverage remains low, with less than 15% of those eligible having received ART by December 2012. RELEVANT CHANGES: Between April 2012 and September 2013, Namacurra district enrolled 4832 new patients into HIV care and treatment. By using the mobile clinic strategy for ART expansion, the district was able to expand provision of ART from two to six (of a desired seven) clinics by September 2013. LESSONS LEARNT: Mobile clinic strategies could rapidly expand HIV care and treatment in under-funded settings in ways that both build local capacity and are sustainable for local health systems. The clinics best serve as a transition to improved capacity at fixed-site services.

Male involvement for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission: A brief review of initiatives in East, West, and Central Africa.

Current trends in HIV/AIDS research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) highlight socially and culturally sensitive interventions that mobilize community members and resources for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care services. These factors are particularly important when addressing the complex social and cultural nature of implementing services for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). Across the globe approximately 34 % fewer children were infected with HIV through the perinatal or breastfeeding route in 2011 (est. 330,000) than in 2001 (est. 500,000), but ongoing mother-to-child HIV transmission is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, where fully 90 % of 2011 cases are estimated to have occurred. Recent literature suggests that PMTCT in Africa is optimized when interventions engage and empower community members, including male partners, to support program implementation and confront the social, cultural and economic barriers that facilitate continued vertical transmission of HIV. In resource-limited settings the feasibility and sustainability of PMTCT programs require innovative approaches to strengthening male engagement by leveraging lessons learned from successful initiatives in SSA. This review presents an overview of studies assessing barriers and facilitators of male participation in PMTCT and new interventions designed to increase male engagement in East, West, and Central Africa from 2000-2013, and examines the inclusion of men in PMTCT programs through the lens of community and facility activities that promote the engagement and involvement of both men and women in transformative PMTCT initiatives.

Sickle cell trait, APOL1 risk allele status and chronic kidney disease among ART-experienced adults living with HIV in northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the prevalence of sickle cell trait (SCT) and apolipoprotein-1 (APOL1) risk variants in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Nigeria, and to establish if SCT and APOL1 high-risk status correlate with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or prevalent chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: Baseline demographic and clinical data were obtained during three cross-sectional visits. CKD was defined as having an eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2. We collected urine specimens to determine urine albumin-creatine ratio and blood samples for sickle cell genotyping, APOL1 testing, and for creatinine/cystatin C assessment. The associations between SCT, APOL1 genotype, and eGFR/CKD stages/CKD were investigated using linear/ordinal logistic/logistic regression models, respectively. RESULTS: Of 2443 participants, 599 (24.5%) had SCT, and 2291 (93.8%) had a low-risk APOL1 genotype (0 or 1 risk variant), while 152 (6.2%) had high-risk genotype (2 allele copies). In total, 108 participants (4.4%) were diagnosed with CKD. In adjusted analyses, SCT was associated with lower eGFR (adjusted mean difference [aMD]= -2.33, 95% CI -4.25, -0.42), but not with worse CKD stages, or increased odds of developing CKD. Participants with the APOL1 high risk genotype were more likely to have lower eGFR (aMD= -5.45, 95% CI -8.87, -2.03), to develop CKD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.75), and to be in worse CKD stages (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.29) than those with the low-risk genotype. There was no evidence of interaction between SCT and APOL1 genotype on eGFR or risk of CKD. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the multifaceted interplay of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of CKD in PLWH.

The V-BRCH Project: Strengthening HIV Research Capacity in Nigeria through Intensive Workshops in Implementation Science and Grant Writing.

As persons with HIV live longer as the result of antiretroviral therapy, morbidity from HIV-associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Building Research Capacity in HIV and Noncommunicable Diseases program is a training platform created with the goal of training a cohort of successful Nigerian investigators to become leaders in HIV-associated NCD research. We describe survey findings from two week-long workshops in Kano, Nigeria, where trainees received instruction in implementation science and grant writing. Surveys assessed participants' self-perceived knowledge and confidence in topics taught during these workshops. Thirty-seven participants (all assistant professors) attended the implementation science workshop; 30 attended the grant-writing workshop. Response rates for the implementation science workshop were 89.2% for the preworkshop survey and 91.9% for the postworkshop survey. For the grant-writing workshop, these values were 88.2% and 85.3%, respectively. Improvement in participant knowledge and confidence was observed in every domain measured for both workshops. On average, a 101.4% increase in knowledge and a 118.0% increase in confidence was observed across measured domains among participants in the implementation science workshop. For the grant-writing workshop, there was a 68.8% increase in knowledge and a 70.3% increase in confidence observed. Participants rated the workshops and instructors as effective for both workshops. These workshops improved participants' knowledge and competence in implementation science and grant writing, and provide a model for training programs that aim to provide physician scientists with the skills needed to compete for independent funding, conduct locally relevant research, and disseminate research findings.

Establishing Reference Intervals for Serum and Salivary Cortisol in a Selected Population in Kano, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: Serum cortisol has long been used in the assessment of disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The reference interval for cortisol in both serum and saliva depends on the analytical methodology and the population studied; hence, a locally derived population-based reference interval is recommended. To our knowledge, there are no studies on reference interval determination in the study area, raising concerns about the use of reference intervals established in European and North American populations. This work aimed to establish reference intervals for baseline serum and salivary cortisol levels among healthy adults in Kano, Nigeria, using methods available in our laboratory. METHODS: A cross-section of 148 apparently healthy reference individuals aged 16 to 67 years were recruited from a local community in Kano, Nigeria, using a systematic sampling technique. Baseline serum cortisol was analyzed using highly sensitive and specific electrochemiluminescence quantitative measurements on an automated immunology analyzer. Salivary cortisol levels were measured using Salimetrics' competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test kits. Parametric methods with a 95% confidence interval were used to calculate reference intervals. RESULTS: The reference intervals for cortisol in serum and saliva were 72.0 nmo/L to 554.0 nmol/L and 0.40 nmol/L to 18.0 nmol/L, respectively. There was a weak positive correlation between serum and salivary cortisol values, but this association was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The development of locally derived adult reference intervals can improve the diagnostic utility of serum and salivary cortisol assessment and strengthen the reliability of adrenal insufficiency diagnoses in our population.

Factors Associated with Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Married Adolescent Girls in Kano, Northern Nigeria.

Background and Objective: Married adolescents face significant obstacles in making informed reproductive health decisions and accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. It is important to identify barriers hindering these adolescents from accessing SRH services. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the utilization of SRH services among married adolescent girls in northern Nigeria. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design. The study population comprised of married female adolescents aged 14-19 years who were residents in the study areas for at least six months. The outcome measure was SRH service utilization, defined as the use of any of the conventional SRH services (ante/postnatal care, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counseling, sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment, family planning, and post-abortion care). Predictor variables included the sociodemographic, obstetric, and gynecological characteristics of the respondents. An adapted, pretested, interviewer-administered, and semi-structured questionnaire was employed for data collection. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the independent association between selected variables and utilization of SRH services. Results: A total of 200 respondents were surveyed (100 each from an urban and a rural community in Kano, Nigeria), survey response rate: 94.5%. The age of respondents ranged from 14 to 19 years, with mean age (± standard deviation) of 18.5 (±1.1) years and 17.5 (±1.3) years for urban and rural respondents, respectively. All respondents were aware of the available SRH facilities and preferred public facilities (92.6% urban respondents and 67.0% rural respondents). Ever-use of SRH services was higher among urban than rural respondents (86% vs. 56%, respectively). Geographic proximity was a key factor for urban respondents (64.2%), while affordability was considered important by rural respondents (47.9%). Respondent's age and partner's occupation were independently associated with utilization of SRH services. Urban respondents whose husbands were businessmen were seven times more likely to use SRH services than those whose partners were civil servants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-35.84, P = 0.02). Rural respondents 18 years of age and older were approximately six times more likely to utilize SRH services than those <18 years (aOR = 5.71, 95% CI: 1.56-12.78, P = 0.01). Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Awareness of available SRH services was high in the study population, and service utilization was influenced by the respondent's age and partner's occupation. Findings from this study can help inform the development of age-appropriate and accessible SRH services tailored to married adolescents in similar settings.