Mixed methods implementation research to understand success of intensive combination approach to roll back the epidemic in Nigerian adolescents) (iCARE Nigeria) HIV testing uptake and linkage to care among young men focusing on young men who have sex with men in Ibadan.

BACKGROUND: HIV seroprevalence in Nigeria is increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM) from 14% to 2007 to 23% in 2014, threatening progress towards ending the epidemic in the country. Expanding access to HIV testing and linkage to care for key populations, like young MSM (YMSM), is critical to end the HIV epidemic in Nigeria. The Intensive Combination Approach to Roll Back the Epidemic in Nigerian Adolescents (iCARE Nigeria) pilot intervention successfully implemented a combination of evidence-based interventions utilizing peer navigators and popular social media apps and platforms to reach young men at risk for HIV exposure, including YMSM. We conducted sequential mixed methods explanatory implementation research to expand on the previously reported effectiveness and implementation outcomes and to explore the determinants and strategies which contributed to primary study results. METHODS: We conducted key informant interviews and focus group discussions with 2 peer navigators and 3 study staff at the end of the pilot. We used directed content analysis to understand the quantitative results from the pilot. Using the Implementation Research Logic Model, we were able to identify and map strategies through mechanisms of action from barriers addressed to the reported implementation outcomes including feasibility, acceptability fidelity and adoption. RESULTS: We found that iCARE Nigeria's pilot intervention implementers reported high feasibility, acceptability fidelity and adoption were associated with implementation of strategies which addressed many challenging contextual factors, including social stigma, online social networking, legal barriers surrounding MSM behavior, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These strategies included integration of stakeholders' interests, selection of experienced peer navigators including from the targeted population, training and supportive supervision using an implementation guide, ensuring safety (COVID and legal) and identification of clinics serving the targeted population. CONCLUSION: Mixed methods using implementation research frameworks provided insights into the strategies and barriers and facilitators they addressed which may explain the success of the pilot. These results can inform strategies needed to scale-up the intervention to youth including YMSM in other areas in Nigeria and the region. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN: ISRCTN94590823, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN94590823.

Successful Implementation Strategies in iCARE Nigeria-A Pilot Intervention with Text Message Reminders and Peer Navigation for Youth Living with HIV.

To address poor outcomes among adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYA-HIV), iCARE Nigeria successfully piloted two-way text message antiretroviral therapy (ART) reminders together with peer navigation. Study participants had significant improvement in ART adherence and viral suppression at 48 weeks. Understanding facto of this intervention. We used explanatory, mixed methods to assess implementation outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, and adoption) and identify implementation strategies used or adapted to promote intervention success. Quantitative data included participant surveys, program records, and back-end mHealth data, and were summarized using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected from key informants and focus group discussions with program staff and summarized using directed content analysis. iCARE Nigeria was feasible as evidenced by ease of recruitment, high retention of patients and peer navigators (PN), and successful deployment of initial text message reminders (99.9%). Most participants (95%) and PN (90%) found text message reminders were not bothersome or intrusive. Implementation strategies employed to facilitate intervention success included: (1) selecting, training, supervising, and matching of PN to patients; (2) tailoring frequency (daily to weekly) and mode of communication between PN and patients according to patient need; (3) routine screening for adherence challenges; (4) changing phone airtime stipends from monthly to weekly in response to rapid depletion; and (5) conducting telecommunication needs assessments, to identify and troubleshoot implementation barriers (issues with mobile devices, power availability). iCARE Nigeria was feasible and acceptable with high adoption by stakeholders. The implementation strategies identified here can be tailored for intervention scale-up in similar environments to promote ART adherence for AYA-HIV.

A randomized stepped wedge trial of an intensive combination approach to roll back the HIV epidemic in Nigerian adolescents: iCARE Nigeria treatment support protocol.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria is one of six countries with half the global burden of youth living with HIV. Interventions to date have been inadequate as AIDS-related deaths in Nigeria's youth have remained unchanged in recent years. The iCARE Nigeria HIV treatment support intervention, a combination of peer navigation and SMS text message medication reminders to promote viral suppression, demonstrated initial efficacy and feasibility in a pilot trial among youth living with HIV in Nigeria. This paper describes the study protocol for the large-scale trial of the intervention. METHODS: The iCARE Nigeria-Treatment study is a randomized stepped wedge trial of a combination (peer navigation and text message reminder) intervention, delivered to youth over a period of 48 weeks to promote viral suppression. Youth receiving HIV treatment at six clinical sites in the North Central and South Western regions of Nigeria were recruited for participation. Eligibility criteria included registration as a patient at participating clinics, aged 15-24 years, on antiretroviral therapy for at least three months, ability to understand and read English, Hausa, Pidgin English, or Yoruba, and intent to remain a patient at the study site during the study period. The six clinic sites were divided into three clusters and randomized to a sequence of control and intervention periods for comparison. The primary outcome is plasma HIV-1 viral load suppression, defined as viral load ≤ 200 copies/mL, in the intervention period versus the control period at 48 weeks of intervention. DISCUSSION: Evidence-based interventions to promote viral load suppression among youth in Nigeria are needed. This study will determine efficacy of a combination intervention (peer navigation and text message reminder) and collect data on potential implementation barriers and facilitators to inform scale-up if efficacy is confirmed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04950153, retrospectively registered July 6, 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Adaptation of evidence-based approaches to promote HIV testing and treatment engagement among high-risk Nigerian youth.

BACKGROUND: 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.

Effect of Text Messaging Plus Peer Navigation on Viral Suppression Among Youth With HIV in the iCARE Nigeria Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Consistent with the global trend, youth with HIV (YWH) in Nigeria have high rates of viral nonsuppression. Hence, novel interventions are needed. SETTING: Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: In a single-arm trial, participants aged 15-24 years received 48 weeks of a combination intervention, comprising daily 2-way text message medication reminders plus peer navigation. The primary outcome measure was viral suppression less than 200 copies/mL. The secondary outcome measures included self-reported adherence on a visual analog scale and medication possession ratio, each dichotomized as ≥90% (good) or <90% (poor) adherence. The outcomes were analyzed using McNemar test. Retention in care, intervention feasibility and acceptability, and participants' satisfaction were also assessed. RESULTS: Forty YWH (50% male participants) were enrolled: mean age 19.9 years (SD = 2.5), 55% perinatally infected, and 35% virologically suppressed at baseline. Compared with baseline, the odds of virologic suppression was higher at 24 weeks (odds ratio = 14.00, P < 0.001) and 48 weeks (odds ratio = 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). Medication possession ratio ≥90% increased at weeks 24 and 48 (85% and 80%, respectively), achieving statistical significance at 24 weeks alone (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 2-way text message reminders plus peer navigation is a promising combination intervention to improve viral suppression among YWH in Nigeria.