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Bridget Spelke M, Okumu E, Perry NR, Blette BS, Paul R, Schiller CE, Ncheka JM, Kasaro MP, Price JT, Meltzer-Brody S, Stringer JSA, Stringer EM. Acceptability of a Randomized Trial of Anti-depressant Medication or Interpersonal Therapy for Treatment of Perinatal Depression in Women with HIV. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1123-1136. [PMID: 38353877 PMCID: PMC10940463 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04264-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2024]
Abstract
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects nearly 20% of postpartum women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where HIV prevalence is high. Depression is associated with worse HIV outcomes in non-pregnant adults and mental health disorders may worsen HIV outcomes for postpartum women and their infants. PPD is effectively treated with psychosocial or pharmacologic interventions; however, few studies have evaluated the acceptability of treatment modalities in SSA. We analyzed interviews with 23 postpartum women with HIV to assess the acceptability of two depression treatments provided in the context of a randomized trial. Most participants expressed acceptability of treatment randomization and study visit procedures. Participants shared perceptions of high treatment efficacy of their assigned intervention. They reported ongoing HIV and mental health stigma in their communities and emphasized the importance of social support from clinic staff. Our findings suggest a full-scale trial of PPD treatment will be acceptable among women with HIV in Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bridget Spelke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA.
- University of North Carolina - Global Projects Zambia, 348 Independence Ave, Lusaka, Zambia, 10101.
| | - Eunice Okumu
- Social and Behavioral Science Core, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Nzi R Perry
- Social and Behavioral Science Core, Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Bryan S Blette
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
| | - Ravi Paul
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Crystal E Schiller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - J M Ncheka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Margaret P Kasaro
- University of North Carolina - Global Projects Zambia, 348 Independence Ave, Lusaka, Zambia, 10101
| | - Joan T Price
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA
- University of North Carolina - Global Projects Zambia, 348 Independence Ave, Lusaka, Zambia, 10101
| | - Samantha Meltzer-Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Jeffrey S A Stringer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA
- University of North Carolina - Global Projects Zambia, 348 Independence Ave, Lusaka, Zambia, 10101
| | - Elizabeth M Stringer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA
- University of North Carolina - Global Projects Zambia, 348 Independence Ave, Lusaka, Zambia, 10101
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Gandhi AR, Hyle EP, Scott JA, Lee JS, Shebl FM, Joska JA, Andersen LS, O'Cleirigh C, Safren SA, Freedberg KA. The Clinical Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Clinic-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for People With HIV, Depression, and Virologic Failure in South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023; 93:333-342. [PMID: 37079899 PMCID: PMC10287047 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression affects 25%-30% of people with HIV (PWH) in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and is associated with both antiretroviral therapy (ART) nonadherence and increased mortality. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of task-shifted, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PWH with diagnosed depression and virologic failure from a randomized trial in RSA. SETTING RSA. METHODS Using the Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications model, we simulated both trial strategies: enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) and ETAU plus CBT for ART adherence and depression (CBT-AD; 8 sessions plus 2 follow-ups). In the trial, viral suppression at 1 year was 20% with ETAU and 32% with CBT-AD. Model inputs included mean initial age (39 years) and CD4 count (214/μL), ART costs ($7.5-22/mo), and CBT costs ($29/session). We projected 5- and 10-year viral suppression, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs: $/QALY [discounted 3%/yr]; cost-effectiveness threshold: ≤$2545/QALY [0.5× per capita GDP]). In sensitivity analyses, we determined how input parameter variation affected cost-effectiveness. RESULTS Model-projected 5- and 10-year viral suppression were 18.9% and 8.7% with ETAU and 21.2% and 9.7% with CBT-AD, respectively. Compared with ETAU, CBT-AD would increase discounted life expectancy from 4.12 to 4.68 QALYs and costs from $6210/person to $6670/person (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio: $840/QALY). CBT-AD would remain cost-effective unless CBT-AD cost >$70/session and simultaneously improved 1-year viral suppression by ≤4% compared with ETAU. CONCLUSIONS CBT for PWH with depression and virologic failure in RSA could improve life expectancy and be cost-effective. Such targeted mental health interventions should be integrated into HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya R. Gandhi
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Emily P. Hyle
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Center for AIDS Research, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
| | - Justine A. Scott
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jasper S. Lee
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Fatma M. Shebl
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - John A. Joska
- HIV Mental Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lena S. Andersen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; and
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Kenneth A. Freedberg
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Center for AIDS Research, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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Li X, Zhong H, Brandeau ML. Quantile Markov Decision Processes. OPERATIONS RESEARCH 2022; 70:1428-1447. [PMID: 36034163 PMCID: PMC9401554 DOI: 10.1287/opre.2021.2123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The goal of a traditional Markov decision process (MDP) is to maximize expected cumulative reward over a defined horizon (possibly infinite). In many applications, however, a decision maker may be interested in optimizing a specific quantile of the cumulative reward instead of its expectation. In this paper we consider the problem of optimizing the quantiles of the cumulative rewards of a Markov decision process (MDP), which we refer to as a quantile Markov decision process (QMDP). We provide analytical results characterizing the optimal QMDP value function and present a dynamic programming-based algorithm to solve for the optimal policy. The algorithm also extends to the MDP problem with a conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) objective. We illustrate the practical relevance of our model by evaluating it on an HIV treatment initiation problem, where patients aim to balance the potential benefits and risks of the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocheng Li
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Huaiyang Zhong
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Margaret L Brandeau
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
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El-Halabi S, Cooper DH, Cha DS, Rosenblat JD, Gill B, Rodrigues NB, Lipsitz O, McIntyre RS, Gill H. The effects of antidepressant medications on antiretroviral treatment adherence in HIV-positive individuals with depression. J Affect Disord 2022; 300:219-225. [PMID: 34952118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Extant literature has identified Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as a comorbid disorder in individuals with seropositive human immunodeficiency disorder (HIV), and this may affect HIV-treatment efficacy. However, there is a paucity of literature evaluating the effects of antidepressant use on antiretroviral therapies (ART) in HIV-positive individuals. Herein, the following review assesses the effects of antidepressant medications on ART adherence in HIV-positive individuals with diagnosed MDD. Methods A systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar search engines were conducted between database inception to June 12th, 2020 using the search and MeSH terms: (HIV) AND (antiretroviral or treatment) AND (depress*) AND (antidepressants) AND (adherence). Results We identified nine articles that evaluated ART adherence in HIV-positive individuals using antidepressants. Of the nine included articles, eight articles evaluated participants undergoing ART, and one article evaluated participants undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Our primary findings suggest that patients who took antidepressant treatment for depression demonstrated greater adherence to HIV treatments and a reduction in missed HIV medication dosage. Limitations The heterogeneity of study design between the included studies was high. Conclusion The current review suggests that response to antidepressant medication may improve adherence to HIV treatments in HIV-positive individuals with comorbid depression. Further studies should expand the findings to explore the effects of disparate psychotropic agents on adherence behaviors among patients with HIV to identify the benefits of these agents on long-term health outcomes in this vulnerable clinical population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine El-Halabi
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel H Cooper
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Danielle S Cha
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Joshua Daniel Rosenblat
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Barjot Gill
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nelson B Rodrigues
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Orly Lipsitz
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hartej Gill
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Borran M, Dashti-Khavidaki S, Khalili H. The need for an integrated pharmacological response to the treatment of HIV/AIDS and depression. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1179-1192. [PMID: 33586560 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1882419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The coexistence of depression and HIV infection affects more than 9 million people worldwide. A literature review revealed a large gap regarding the pharmacotherapy of depression among patients dually diagnosed with HIV and depression.Areas covered:In this review, the authors covered the various dimensions of deploying integrated pharmacological treatment of HIV/AIDS and depression. This topic was addressed in two ways; first, the direct results of integrated pharmacotherapy in syndemic patients; second, the indirect effects of the integrated model on other outcomes of HIV care.Expert opinion: An integrated pharmacological response to the treatment of HIV and depression can bring substantial benefits to HIV outcomes and reduce the burden of both diseases. The direct advantages regarding pharmacological response to the treatment of depression along with HIV care are improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy, optimizing pharmacotherapy, minimizing drug interaction, and prevention of additive adverse drug reactions. Furthermore, in some cases, medication can target both depression and other neuropsychiatric or somatic comorbidities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The integrated pharmacotherapy also has some potential indirect advantages on HIV care outcomes like minimizing loss of care, reducing ongoing HIV transmission, and improving the outcomes of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Borran
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Simin Dashti-Khavidaki
- Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khalili
- Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Bernard CL, Rao IJ, Robison KK, Brandeau ML. Health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of diversion programs for low-level drug offenders: A model-based analysis. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003239. [PMID: 33048929 PMCID: PMC7553283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cycles of incarceration, drug abuse, and poverty undermine ongoing public health efforts to reduce overdose deaths and the spread of infectious disease in vulnerable populations. Jail diversion programs aim to divert low-level drug offenders toward community care resources, avoiding criminal justice costs and disruptions in treatment for HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and drug abuse. We sought to assess the health benefits and cost-effectiveness of a jail diversion program for low-level drug offenders. METHODS AND FINDINGS We developed a microsimulation model, calibrated to King County, Washington, that captured the spread of HIV and HCV infections and incarceration and treatment systems as well as preexisting interventions such as needle and syringe programs and opiate agonist therapy. We considered an adult population of people who inject drugs (PWID), people who use drugs but do not inject (PWUD), men who have sex with men, and lower-risk heterosexuals. We projected discounted lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over a 10-year time horizon with and without a jail diversion program and calculated resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) from the health system and societal perspectives. We also tracked HIV and HCV infections, overdose deaths, and jail population size. Over 10 years, the program was estimated to reduce HIV and HCV incidence by 3.4% (95% CI 2.7%-4.0%) and 3.3% (95% CI 3.1%-3.4%), respectively, overdose deaths among PWID by 10.0% (95% CI 9.8%-10.8%), and jail population size by 6.3% (95% CI 5.9%-6.7%). When considering healthcare costs only, the program cost $25,500/QALY gained (95% CI $12,600-$48,600). Including savings from reduced incarceration (societal perspective) improved the ICER to $6,200/QALY gained (95% CI, cost-saving $24,300). Sensitivity analysis indicated that cost-effectiveness depends on diversion program participants accessing community programs such as needle and syringe programs, treatment for substance use disorder, and HIV and HCV treatment, as well as diversion program cost. A limitation of the analysis is data availability, as fewer data are available for diversion programs than for more established interventions aimed at people with substance use disorder. Additionally, like any model of a complex system, our model relies on simplifying assumptions: For example, we simplified pathways in the healthcare and criminal justice systems, modeled an average efficacy for substance use disorder treatment, and did not include costs associated with homelessness, unemployment, and breakdown in family structure. CONCLUSIONS We found that diversion programs for low-level drug offenders are likely to be cost-effective, generating savings in the criminal justice system while only moderately increasing healthcare costs. Such programs can reduce incarceration and its associated costs, and also avert overdose deaths and improve quality of life for PWID, PWUD, and the broader population (through reduced HIV and HCV transmission).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora L. Bernard
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Isabelle J. Rao
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Konner K. Robison
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Margaret L. Brandeau
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Ezeanolue EE, Iheanacho T, Adedeji IA, Itanyi IU, Olakunde B, Patel D, Dakum P, Okonkwo P, Akinmurele T, Obiefune M, Khamofu H, Oyeledun B, Aina M, Eyo A, Oleribe O, Oko J, Olutola A, Gobir I, Aliyu MH, Aliyu G, Woelk G, Aarons G, Siberry G, Sturke R. Opportunities and challenges to integrating mental health into HIV programs in a low- and middle-income country: insights from the Nigeria implementation science Alliance. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:904. [PMID: 32993621 PMCID: PMC7526407 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05750-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Nigeria, there is an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV (PLHIV), 53% of whom utilize HIV care and services. With decreasing HIV-related deaths and increasing new infections, HIV with its associated comorbidities continue to be a key public health challenge in Nigeria. Untreated, comorbid mental disorders are a critical but potentially modifiable determinant of optimal HIV treatment outcomes. This study aimed to identify the challenges and opportunities related to integrating mental health care into existing HIV programs in Nigeria. Method Attendees at the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance (NISA)‘s 2019 conference participated in nominal group technique (NGT) exercise informed by the “Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS)” framework. The NGT process was conducted among the nominal groups in two major sessions of 30-min phases followed by a 30-min plenary session. Data analysis proceeded in four steps: transcription, collation, theming and content analysis. Results The two major theoretical themes from the study were – opportunities and challenges of integrating mental health treatment into HIV services. Three sub-themes emerged on opportunities: building on health care facilities for HIV services (screening, counseling, task-sharing monitoring and evaluation frameworks), utilizing existing human resources or workforce in HIV programs (in-service training and including mental health in education curriculum) and the role of social and cultural structures (leveraging existing community, traditional and faith-based infrastructures). Four sub-themes emerged for challenges: double burden of stigma and the problems of early detection (HIV and mental health stigma, lack of awareness), existing policy gaps and structural challenges (fragmented health system), limited human resources for mental health care in Nigeria (knowledge gap and burnout) and dearth of data/evidence for planning and action (research gaps). Conclusions Potential for integrating treatments for mental disorders into HIV programs and services exist in Nigeria. These include opportunities for clinicians’ training and capacity building as well as community partnerships. Multiple barriers and challenges such as stigma, policy and research gaps would need to be addressed to leverage these opportunities. Our findings serve as a useful guide for government agencies, policy makers and research organizations to address co-morbid mental disorders among PLHIV in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Echezona E Ezeanolue
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, Institute of Maternal and Child health, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.,Healthy Sunrise Foundation, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Theddeus Iheanacho
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | | | - Ijeoma Uchenna Itanyi
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, Institute of Maternal and Child health, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.,Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Babayemi Olakunde
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, Institute of Maternal and Child health, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.,National Agency for Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Dina Patel
- Healthy Sunrise Foundation, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Patrick Dakum
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Institute of Human Virology, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andy Eyo
- Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Obinna Oleribe
- Excellence and Friends Management Consult, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - John Oko
- Catholic Caritas Foundation Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Ibrahim Gobir
- Center for Global Health Practice and Impact, Georgetown University, Washington, USA
| | - Muktar H Aliyu
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gambo Aliyu
- National Agency for Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Godfrey Woelk
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, USA
| | | | - George Siberry
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, USA
| | - Rachel Sturke
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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