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Iwelunmor J, Ezechi O, Obiezu-Umeh C, Gbaja-Biamila T, Musa AZ, Nwaozuru U, Obasi N, Ojo V, Xian H, Oladele D, Airhihenbuwa CO, Muessig K, Rosenberg N, Conserve DF, Ong JJ, Nkengasong S, Tahlil KM, BeLue R, Engelhart A, Mason S, Tang W, Ogedegbe G, Tucker JD. Tracking adaptation strategies of an HIV prevention intervention among youth in Nigeria: a theoretically informed case study analysis of the 4 Youth by Youth Project. Implement Sci Commun 2023; 4:44. [PMID: 37101190 PMCID: PMC10131455 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-023-00404-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although many behavioral interventions are adapted, little is known about the reasons for adaptations and the process and outcomes influencing adaptations. To address this gap, we explored the adaptations made to promote HIV prevention services, including HIV self-testing (HIVST), among Nigerian youth. METHODS The main objective of this qualitative case study design was to document the adaptations made over time using the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications - Expanded (FRAME). Between 2018 and 2020, we organized four participatory activities as part of the 4 Youth by Youth project to increase the uptake of HIVST services in Nigeria-an open call, a designathon, a capacity-building bootcamp and a pilot feasibility trial. We also began the process of implementing a final intervention using a pragmatic randomized control trial (RCT). The open call solicited creative strategies to promote HIVST among Nigerian youth and then had experts evaluate them. The designathon brought together youth teams to further develop their HIVST service strategies into implementation protocols. Teams determined to be exceptional were invited to a four-week capacity-building bootcamp. The five teams that emerged from the bootcamp were supported to pilot their HIVST service strategies over a 6-month period. The adapted intervention is currently being evaluated in a pragmatic RCT. We transcribed meeting reports and conducted document reviews of study protocols and training manuals. RESULTS Sixteen adaptations were identified and categorized into three domains: (1) modifications to the content of the intervention (i.e. photo verification system and/or Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) system to verify HIVST); (2) modifications to the delivery the intervention (i.e. implement participatory learning community sessions to provide supportive supervision and technical support); (3) modifications to the evaluation processes (i.e. economic evaluation to estimate the cost of implementing intervention on a larger scale). Frequent reasons for adaptation included increasing intervention reach, modifying interventions to enhance their appropriateness and fit with the recipient, and increasing the intervention's feasibility and acceptability. Most adaptations were planned and reactive, and the need for modifications was determined by the youths, 4YBY program staff, and advisory group. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that the nature of adaptations made throughout the implementation process reflects the necessity of evaluating services in context while adjusting to specific challenges as they are identified. Further research is needed to understand the effect of these adaptations on the overall intervention effect as well as the quality of youth engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Iwelunmor
- College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
| | - Oliver Ezechi
- Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Chisom Obiezu-Umeh
- College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Titilola Gbaja-Biamila
- College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
- Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Adesola Z Musa
- Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Ucheoma Nwaozuru
- Department of Implementation Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Nnamdi Obasi
- Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
- College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Victor Ojo
- Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
- Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Hong Xian
- College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - David Oladele
- College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
- Clinical Sciences Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Collins O Airhihenbuwa
- Heath Policy and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kathryn Muessig
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nora Rosenberg
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Donaldson F Conserve
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Research Department, London, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Susan Nkengasong
- Clinical Research Department, London, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kadija M Tahlil
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rhonda BeLue
- Community and Policy, College for Health, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alexis Engelhart
- College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Stacey Mason
- College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Weiming Tang
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gbenga Ogedegbe
- Center for Healthful Behavior Change, Division of Health and Behavior, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, NY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Pyra M, Motley D, Bouris A. Moving toward equity: fostering transdisciplinary research between the social and behavioral sciences and implementation science to end the HIV epidemic. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2022; 17:89-99. [PMID: 35225249 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, social and behavioral scientists have developed interventions to stem the spread of the virus. The dissemination of these interventions has traditionally been a lengthy process; however, implementation science (IS) offers a route toward hastening delivery of effective interventions. A transdisciplinary approach, wherein IS informs and is informed by social and behavioral sciences (SBS) as well as community participation, offers a strategy for more efficiently moving toward health equity and ending the HIV epidemic. RECENT FINDINGS There has been considerable growth in HIV research utilizing IS theories, methods and frameworks. Many of these studies have been multi or interdisciplinary in nature, demonstrating the ways that IS and SBS can strengthen one another. We also find areas for continued progress toward transdisciplinarity. SUMMARY We review literature from 2020 to 2021, exploring the ways IS and SBS have been used in tandem to develop, evaluate and disseminate HIV interventions. We highlight the interplay between disciplines and make a case for moving toward transdisciplinarity, which would yield new, integrated frameworks that can improve prevention and treatment efforts, moving us closer to achieving health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pyra
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago
- Howard Brown Health Center
| | - Darnell Motley
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago
| | - Alida Bouris
- Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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