In resource-limited settings progress in scaling up services for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) continues to lag behind the rest of the world. Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the world. The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria will require innovative methods of PMTCT service delivery at the lowest level of the health care system, consistent with appropriate, feasible and effective care. The goal of this study is to implement and evaluate the impact of a family- focused integrated PMTCT package comprising task shifting, point-of-care CD4 testing, and a prominent role for influential family members (particularly male partners) in rural primary health centers in Nigeria.
The specific aims of this study are: (1) To evaluate whether implementation of the integrated PMTCT package in primary level antenatal clinics increases the proportion of eligible pregnant women who initiate antiretroviral medications for the purposes of PMTCT;(2) To determine whether implementation of the PMTCT package improves postpartum retention of mother-infant pairs at 6 weeks;and (3) Conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of the impact of this novel PMTCT intervention compared to the existing standard-of-care referral model. We have assembled a strong team of Nigerian and American scientists with expertise in PMTCT cluster randomized trials, adherence and retention in care, HIV risk behavior, cART outcomes, and cost-effectiveness analysis of HIV programs. We include a rigorous study design and triangulation of data collection methods (quantitative outcomes, cost effectiveness analysis, qualitative surveys) that will yield valuable complimentary data. We will build on existing in- country PEPFAR infrastructure, established partnerships, and strong local presence, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful study implementation.

Public Health Relevance

This innovative approach to scaling up PMTCT service provision, if proven feasible and effective, will be adopted in PEPFAR programs to accelerate progress toward eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and helping women with HIV infection live long, healthy lives. The purpose of this R01 proposal is to evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of a family-focused integrated prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) package comprising task shifting of PMTCT services (including antiretroviral therapy) to lower-cadre workers, adoption of point-of-care CD4 testing, and a prominent role for influential family members of HIV-infected mothers in rural Nigeria. This innovative approach to scaling up PMTCT service provision, if proven feasible and effective, will be adopted in PEPFAR programs to accelerate progress toward eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and helping women with HIV infection live long, healthy lives.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HD075075-01
Application #
8433794
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1-DSR-A (52))
Program Officer
Siberry, George K
Project Start
2012-09-28
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2012-09-28
Budget End
2013-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$454,966
Indirect Cost
$56,402
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
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Sarko, Kidane A; Blevins, Meridith; Ahonkhai, Aimalohi A et al. (2017) HIV status disclosure, facility-based delivery and postpartum retention of mothers in a prevention clinical trial in rural Nigeria. Int Health 9:243-251
Boehmer, Angie; Audet, Carolyn M; Blevins, Meridith et al. (2016) Patient and Provider Satisfaction With a Comprehensive Strategy to Improve Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Services in Rural Nigeria. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 72 Suppl 2:S117-23
Aliyu, Muktar H; Blevins, Meridith; Audet, Carolyn M et al. (2016) Integrated prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services, antiretroviral therapy initiation, and maternal and infant retention in care in rural north-central Nigeria: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet HIV 3:e202-11
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Aliyu, Muktar H; Blevins, Meridith; Megazzini, Karen M et al. (2015) Pregnant women with HIV in rural Nigeria have higher rates of antiretroviral treatment initiation, but similar loss to follow-up as non-pregnant women and men. Int Health 7:405-11
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Salihu, Hamisu M; August, Euna M; Mbah, Alfred K et al. (2014) Impact of a federal healthy start program on feto-infant morbidity associated with absent fathers: a quasi-experimental study. Matern Child Health J 18:2054-60
Aliyu, Muktar H; Blevins, Meridith; Parrish, Deidra D et al. (2014) Risk factors for delayed initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy in rural north central Nigeria. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 65:e41-9
Parrish, Deidra D; Blevins, Meridith; Megazzini, Karen M et al. (2014) Haemoglobin recovery among HIV-1 infected patients on zidovudine-based antiretroviral therapy and other regimens in north-central Nigeria. Int J STD AIDS 25:355-9

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