Background
Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the infectious diseases that threaten human survival. The 2019 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) pegged the country’s prevalence rate at 1.4%. The state with the highest prevalence is Akwa Ibom State with 5.5% prevalence followed by Benue State with 5.3% prevalence and then Rivers State with 3.8% prevalence rate. It was estimated that about 79% of people living with HIV in Rivers State were not on treatment. As part of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), the lead implementer of the SURGE Grant in Rivers state contracted Idimibok International to implement in SURGE grant in 11 LGAs. Idimibok subcontracted implementation in the Ogoni land to Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH).
One key objective for ARFH is to contribute significantly to the achievement of the first two 95s in the UNAID 95-95-95 target. ARFH commenced implementation of Surge in Rivers state from the 1st of November 2019 to 30th September, 2020, in Ogoni land; Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme LGAs of Rivers state.
Project Objectives
- To improve community response to HTS & linkage of positive clients to treatment and care
- To increase active case finding Pregnant Women and other vulnerable groups living with HIV within the community structures
- To improve linkage to care through escort services and Community ART
Indicators
There are three indicators targeting demand generation for HIV services through HIV Counselling and Testing. The indicators are:
- Total number of persons screened for HIV/AIDs.
- Total number of people male and female who were tested for HIV and received their results during the reporting period
- Total number of people male and female living with HIV currently receiving antiretroviral therapy
HTS Strategies
- Mapping of targeted communities
- Advocacy visit
- Strategic meetings with Stakeholders
- Intensified efforts on Pre and post counselling
- Combing and Crack teams
- Fixed post testing at targeted communities
- Door to door testing
- Index Contact testing
- Targeted testing at hot spots, FBDHs, Prayer homes and TBAs
- Targeted testing at private unsupported facilities and laboratories
- Collaboration with IHVN to conduct viral load drive and key into ICT
- Use of Incentives
- Moonlight and early morning testing
- Multiple points testing in a community and multiple community testing each day
- Testing in farm settlements
- Orientations and re-orientations of teams
- Early morning Technical meetings
- Supportive supervision exercise
- Routine Data validation Exercise