Effectiveness of community mobilisation models in improving HIV testing services uptake among women and children in Nigeria: A quasi-experimental study

ABSTRACT

Nigeria carries a high burden of HIV infections, with Taraba State having a prevalence of 2.49%. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of the Lafiyan Yara project, which utilised various community-based mobilisation models, on the enhancement of HTS uptake among women during pregnancy, and children. The intervention involved the implementation of mobilisation by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA), Village Health Workers (VHW), Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), and a combination of the three in four study local government areas (LGA) in Taraba State. Baseline and end-line surveys were conducted focused on women aged 15–49 years who delivered a child in the past 1 year, and children in their households, in the study and a control LGA. A difference-in-difference (DID) approach was applied by using a probit regression model with interaction terms for treatment status (intervention vs. control) and survey timing to compute the DID estimates of uptake of HTS. The TBA model showed the highest impact in the referral of women to HTS, while the combined model demonstrated the greatest impact in referrals for children. Scaling up and strengthening these community mobilisation efforts can improve access to HIV testing and contribute to HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the region.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV testing services
• community mobilisation models
• difference-in-difference analysis
• Taraba State
• Nigeria

Acknowledgement

We wish to thank all the participants who contributed their time and effort to the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research project was funded by Aidsfonds International, Netherlands, under grant number P-44002. The Lafiyan Yara project, which is an implementation science grant, was carried out by the Society for Family. The research was conducted by the Institute of Public Health of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.