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Gibas KM, Ahonkhai AA, Huang A, van Wyk C, Tsiga-Ahmed FI, Musa BM, Sani MU, Audet CM, Wester CW, Aliyu MH. The V-BRCH Project: Strengthening HIV Research Capacity in Nigeria through Intensive Workshops in Implementation Science and Grant Writing. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:534-539. [PMID: 38350133 PMCID: PMC10919197 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
As persons with HIV live longer as the result of antiretroviral therapy, morbidity from HIV-associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Building Research Capacity in HIV and Noncommunicable Diseases program is a training platform created with the goal of training a cohort of successful Nigerian investigators to become leaders in HIV-associated NCD research. We describe survey findings from two week-long workshops in Kano, Nigeria, where trainees received instruction in implementation science and grant writing. Surveys assessed participants' self-perceived knowledge and confidence in topics taught during these workshops. Thirty-seven participants (all assistant professors) attended the implementation science workshop; 30 attended the grant-writing workshop. Response rates for the implementation science workshop were 89.2% for the preworkshop survey and 91.9% for the postworkshop survey. For the grant-writing workshop, these values were 88.2% and 85.3%, respectively. Improvement in participant knowledge and confidence was observed in every domain measured for both workshops. On average, a 101.4% increase in knowledge and a 118.0% increase in confidence was observed across measured domains among participants in the implementation science workshop. For the grant-writing workshop, there was a 68.8% increase in knowledge and a 70.3% increase in confidence observed. Participants rated the workshops and instructors as effective for both workshops. These workshops improved participants' knowledge and competence in implementation science and grant writing, and provide a model for training programs that aim to provide physician scientists with the skills needed to compete for independent funding, conduct locally relevant research, and disseminate research findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M. Gibas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Epidemiology & Infection Prevention, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Aima A. Ahonkhai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alexander Huang
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Chelsea van Wyk
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Baba M. Musa
- Department of Medicine, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Muktar H. Aliyu
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Nashville, Tennessee
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Shepherd BE, Hussaini N, Huang A, Van Wyk C, Kowalski MS, Ingles DJ, Wester CW, Li C, Aliyu MH. The Vanderbilt Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat): Results from a Skills Workshop. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY 2023; 12:66-72. [PMID: 38318241 PMCID: PMC10843821 DOI: 10.5539/ijsp.v12n6p66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat) aims to establish a research and training platform for biostatisticians doing HIV-related research in Nigeria, including enhancing mid-level biostatistics capacity through annual workshops. This paper describes findings from the inaugural workshop in Kano, Nigeria. Participants were surveyed before and after the workshop to assess their self-perceived familiarity with and confidence in their abilities to use statistical software and apply specific statistical techniques, as well as to gather feedback regarding the conduct of the workshop and future topic areas. Of the 23 participants enrolled in the workshop, 22 (96%) completed both pre- and post-workshop assessments. In both pre-workshop and post-workshop surveys, participants ranked their confidence in statistical skills using Likert scales. Scores were transformed to a 0-100 scale, and averages computed. Participants also shared open-ended feedback about the workshop and suggested future topic areas. Before the training, the average participant reported having either a "beginner" (30% of participants) or "moderate" (43%) level of familiarity with R. Many participants (65%) rated themselves as having "moderate" or "expert" familiarity with SPSS. Pre-workshop averages for confidence ranged from 26 to 64, with lowest confidence in "expanding continuous covariates in regression models and interpret results" and highest confidence in "fitting and interpreting results from a linear regression model". Post-workshop averages for confidence were all above 70. The lowest post-workshop score (74) was for "fit and interpret results from a semiparametric linear transformation model". The greatest increase in confidence was observed in "expanding continuous covariates in regression models using splines and interpreting results" and the lowest increase was in "fitting and interpreting results from a linear regression model." Participants offered positive feedback on instructor effectiveness (4.9/5) and overall course quality (4.9/5). While the overall course was rated on a 0-100 scale as "moderately difficult" (mean ± SD: 40.5 ± 17.5), the participants felt the course was highly organized (87.7 ± 17.8), and the information was moderately easy to learn (81.9 ± 15.9). Suggestions for future workshops included providing supplementary resources for out-of-classroom learning and releasing codes in advance to enhance participants' preparation. Among suggestions for future workshop topics, 80% of respondents listed survival analysis. Lessons learned provide insight into how short-term training opportunities can be leveraged to build biostatistics capacity in similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan E. Shepherd
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Nafiu Hussaini
- Department of Mathematics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Alex Huang
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Chelsea Van Wyk
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Meira S. Kowalski
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Donna J. Ingles
- Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - C. William Wester
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Chun Li
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Muktar H. Aliyu
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Shepherd BE, Hussaini NN, Ingles DJ, Van Wyk C, Cassell HM, Wester CW, Aliyu MH. Training the next generation of Biostatisticians in West Africa: The Vanderbilt Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat). JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH REPORTS 2023; 7:e2023067. [PMID: 38098733 PMCID: PMC10720603 DOI: 10.29392/001c.88939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomedical HIV research is growing in West Africa, but biostatistical expertise is lagging. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat) seeks to establish a research and training platform for biostatisticians doing HIV-related research in Nigeria. The objectives of the program are: 1) Host two Nigerian data scientists per year (a total of 10 over 5 years) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to gain hands-on biostatistics training and experience via one-year fellowships. Eligible trainees will be junior investigators with PhDs or nearing completion of their PhDs in statistics or related fields, including mathematics and computer science. 2) Conduct annual workshops in Nigeria to provide biostatistics training. Trainees will undertake biostatistics coursework and hands-on training and participate in mentorship as biostatisticians involved in HIV research. Trainees will be at Vanderbilt for a full year and be part of an active biostatistics department. They will be immersed in a dry-lab HIV biostatistics project in collaboration with a Nigerian HIV research project and lead a methodologically focused research project. They will also participate in a one-month research training/grant writing program in Nashville. The VN-BioStat program will build on the existing momentum of ongoing initiatives to enhance research capacity in Nigeria by developing biostatistics leadership. VN-BioStat trainees will interact with investigators from Nigeria to provide collaborative biostatistical assistance with study design and data analysis, thus gaining real-world experience that will benefit the trainees and the broader research community in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan E. Shepherd
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Donna J. Ingles
- Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Chelsea Van Wyk
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Holly M. Cassell
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - C. William Wester
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Muktar H. Aliyu
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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