Immediate assessment of performance of medical laboratory scientists following a 10-day malaria microscopy training programme in Nigeria

Abstract Background Rapid and precise diagnosis of malaria is an essential element in effective case management and control of malaria. Malaria microscopy is used as the gold standard for malaria diagnosis, however results remain poor as positivity rate in Nigeria is consistently over 90%. The United States President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) through the Malaria Action Program for States (MAPS) supported selected states in Nigeria to build capacity for malaria microscopy. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of in-service training on malaria microscopy amongst medical laboratory scientists. Method The training was based on the World Health Organization (WHO) basic microscopy training manual. The 10-day training utilized a series of didactic lectures and examination of teaching slides using a CX 21 Olympus binocular microscope. All 108 medical laboratory scientists trained from 2012 to 2015 across five states in Nigeria supported by PMI were included in the study. Evaluation of the training using a pre-and post-test method was based on written test questions; reading photographic slide images of malaria parasites; and prepared slides. Result There was a significant improvement in the mean written pre-and post-tests scores from 37.9% (95% CI 36.2–39.6%) to 70.7% (95% CI 68.4–73.1%) (p < 0.001). The mean counting post-test score improved significantly from 4.2% (95% CI 2.6–5.7%) to 27.9% (95% CI 25.3–30.5%) (p < 0.001). Mean post-test score for computer-based picture speciation test (63.0%) and picture detection test (89.2%) were significantly higher than the mean post-test score for slide reading speciation test (38.3%) and slide reading detection test (70.7%), p < 0.001 in both cases. Conclusion Parasite detection and speciation using enhanced visual imaging was significantly improved compared with using direct microscopy. Regular in-service training and provision of functional and high resolution microscopes are needed to ensure quality routine malaria microscopy

How can we better serve adolescent key populations? Strategies to encourage and inform future data collection, analysis, and use

Young key populations (ages 10–24) (YKPs) are uniquely vulnerable to HIV infection. Yet they are often underserved, due in part to a limited understanding of their needs. Many successful approaches to understanding YKPs exist but are not widely used. To identify the most useful approaches and encourage their uptake, we reviewed strategic information on YKPs and experiences collecting, analysing, and utilising it from countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe. As a result, we recommend one central guiding principle – any effort to understand and serve YKPs should include a specific focus on adolescent key populations (AKPs) (ages 10–19) – and three strategies to inform data collection, analysis, and use: tailor recruitment practices to ensure young people’s representation, select indicators and research methods based on their ability to inform responsive programming for and give a voice to YKPs, and thoroughly disaggregate data. We demonstrate the utility of each strategy in YKP research and programmes, and in doing so note the particular importance for AKPs. We hope that this paper encourages additional research on YKPs and helps bridge the gap between research and effective programmes to serve the youngest and most vulnerable members of key populations

The effectiveness of Community Based Distribution of Injectable Contraceptives using Community Health Extension Workers in Gombe State, Northern Nigeria

This study reports on findings of a pilot of community-based distribution (CBD) of injectable contraceptives in two local government areas (LGAs) of Gombe State, Nigeria. From August 2009 to January 2010, the project enrolled, trained and equipped community health extension workers (CHEWs) to distribute condoms, oral and injectable contraceptives in communities. The project mobilized communities and stakeholders to promote Family Planning (FP) services in the selected communities. Using anonymised unlinked routine service data, the mean couple years of protection (CYP) achieved through CBD was compared to that achieved in FP clinics. The CBD mean CYP for injectables- depo medroxy-progesterone acetate (DMPA) and norethisterone enantate was higher (27.72 & 18.16 respectively) than the facility CYP (7.21 & 5.08 respectively) (p<0.05) with no injection related complications. The CBD’s mean CYP for all methods was also found to be four times higher (11.65) than that generated in health facilities (2.86) (p<0.05). This suggests that the CBD of injectable contraceptives is feasible and effective, even in a setting like northern Nigeria that has sensitivities about FP. (Afr J Reprod Health 2013; 17[2]: 80-88).Cette étude porte sur les résultats d’un projet pilote de distribution à base communautaire (DBC) des contraceptifs injectables dans deux Administrations Locales (AL) de l’Etat de Gombe, Nigeria. D’aout 2009 au janvier 2010, a inscrit, a formé et a équipé des membres de personnel de santé communautaire (MPSC) pour distribuer des préservatifs, des contraceptifs oraux et des injectables dans les communautés. Le projet a mobilisé les communautés et les parties prenantes pour promouvoir la planification familiale (PF) dans les communautés choisies. , les L’utilisation des données de service de routine anonyme et non corrélées, la moyenne de couple d’années de protection (CAP) obtenue par la CDB a été comparée à celle obtenue dans les cliniques de PF. La DBC de CAP pour les produits injectables Depomedroxy-acétate de progestérone (DMPA) et l&apos;énanthate de noréthistérone était plus élevé (27,72 et 18,16 respectivement) que l&apos;installation (7,21 et 5,08 respectivement) CYP (p <0,05), sans des complications liées à l’injection. On a trouvé que la CAP moyenne de la DB pour toutes les méthodes a également était quatre fois plus élevée (11,65) que celles générées dans les établissements de santé (2,86) (p <0,05). Ceci suggère que la DBC des contraceptifs injectables est réalisable et efficace, même dans un milieu tel que le nord du Nigeria qui a des sensibilités de la PF. (Afr J Reprod Health 2013; 17[2]: 80-88)

Reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV: findings from an early infant diagnosis program in south-south region of Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Early diagnosis of HIV in infants provides a critical opportunity to strengthen follow-up of HIV-exposed children and assure early access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for infected children. This study describes findings from an Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) program and the effectiveness of a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) intervention in six health facilities in Cross-River and Akwa-Ibom states, south-south Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a retrospective study. Records of 702 perinatally exposed babies aged six weeks to 18 months who had a DNA PCR test between November 2007 and July 2009 were reviewed. Details of the ARV regimen received to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), breastfeeding choices, HIV test results, turn around time (TAT) for results and post test ART enrolment status of the babies were analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two-thirds of mother-baby pairs received ARVs and 560 (80%) babies had ever been breastfed. Transmission rates for mother-baby pairs who received ARVs for PMTCT was 4.8% (CI 1.3, 8.3) at zero to six weeks of age compared to 19.5% (CI 3.0, 35.5) when neither baby nor mother received an intervention. Regardless of intervention, the transmission rates for babies aged six weeks to six months who had mixed feeding was 25.6% (CI 29.5, 47.1) whereas the transmission rates for those who were exclusively breastfed was 11.8% (CI 5.4, 18.1). Vertical transmission of HIV was eight times (AOR 7.8, CI: 4.52-13.19) more likely in the sub-group of mother-baby pairs who did not receive ARVS compared with mother-baby pairs that did receive ARVs. The median TAT for test results was 47 days (IQR: 35-58). A follow-up of 125 HIV positive babies found that 31 (25%) were enrolled into a paediatric ART program, nine (7%) were known to have died before the return of their DNA PCR results, and 85 (67%) could not be traced and were presumed to be lost-to-follow-up.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reduction of MTCT of HIV is possible with effective PMTCT interventions, including improved access to ARVs for PMTCT and appropriate infant feeding practices. Loss to follow up of HIV exposed infants is a challenge and requires strategies to enhance retention.</p