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Olakunde BO, Itanyi IU, Olawepo JO, Liu L, Bembir C, Idemili-Aronu N, Lasebikan NN, Onyeka TC, Dim CC, Chigbu CO, Ezeanolue EE, Aarons GA. Comparative effectiveness of implementation strategies for Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination through the integration of Screen-and-treat Services (ACCESS study): protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid type III trial in Nigeria. Implement Sci 2024; 19:25. [PMID: 38468266 PMCID: PMC10926605 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-024-01349-9] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the increased risk of cervical cancer (CC) among women living with HIV (WLHIV), CC screening and treatment (CCST) rates remain low in Africa. The integration of CCST services into established HIV programs in Africa can improve CC prevention and control. However, the paucity of evidence on effective implementation strategies (IS) has limited the success of integration in many countries. In this study, we seek to identify effective IS to enhance the integration of CCST services into existing HIV programs in Nigeria. METHODS Our proposed study has formative and experimental activities across the four phases of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Through an implementation mapping conducted with stakeholders in the exploration phase, we identified a core package of IS (Core) and an enhanced package of IS (Core+) mostly selected from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change. In the preparation phase, we refined and tailored the Core and Core+ IS with the implementation resource teams for local appropriateness. In the implementation phase, we will conduct a cluster-randomized hybrid type III trial to assess the comparative effectiveness of Core versus Core+. HIV comprehensive treatment sites (k = 12) will be matched by region and randomized to Core or Core+ in the ratio of 1:1 stratified by region. In the sustainment phase, we will assess the sustainment of CCST at each site. The study outcomes will be assessed using RE-AIM: reach (screening rate), adoption (uptake of IS by study sites), IS fidelity (degree to which the IS occurred according to protocol), clinical intervention fidelity (delivery of CC screening, onsite treatment, and referral according to protocol), clinical effectiveness (posttreatment screen negative), and sustainment (continued integrated CCST service delivery). Additionally, we will descriptively explore potential mechanisms, including organizational readiness, implementation climate, CCST self-efficacy, and implementation intentions. DISCUSSION The assessment of IS to increase CCST rates is consistent with the global plan of eliminating CC as a public health threat by 2030. Our study will identify a set of evidence-based IS for low-income settings to integrate evidence-based CCST interventions into routine HIV care in order to improve the health and life expectancy of WLHIV. TRIAL REGISTRATION Prospectively registered on November 7, 2023, at ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT06128304. https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS gov/ct2/show/study/NCT06128304.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babayemi O Olakunde
- Department of Community Prevention and Care Services, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Ijeoma U Itanyi
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - John O Olawepo
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lin Liu
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chinenye Bembir
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Ngozi Idemili-Aronu
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Nwamaka N Lasebikan
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Oncology Center, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Tonia C Onyeka
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Anaesthesia/Pain & Palliative Care Unit, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Cyril C Dim
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Chibuike O Chigbu
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Echezona E Ezeanolue
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- HealthySunrise Foundation, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Gregory A Aarons
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0812, USA.
- UC San Diego ACTRI Dissemination and Implementation Science Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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Itanyi IU, Viglione C, Rositch AF, Olawepo JO, Olakunde BO, Ikpeazu A, Nwokwu U, Lasebikan N, Ezeanolue EE, Aarons GA. Rapid implementation mapping to identify implementation determinants and strategies for cervical cancer control in Nigeria. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1228434. [PMID: 37663856 PMCID: PMC10469679 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1228434] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer constitutes a huge burden among women in Nigeria, particularly HIV-infected women. However, the provision and uptake of cervical cancer screening and treatment is limited in Nigeria. Understanding implementation determinants is essential for the effective translation of such evidence-based interventions into practice, particularly in low-resource settings. COVID-19 pandemic necessitated online collaboration making implementation mapping challenging in some ways, while providing streamlining opportunities. In this study, we describe the use of a virtual online approach for implementation mapping (steps 1-3) to identify implementation determinants, mechanisms, and strategies to implement evidence-based cervical cancer screening and treatment in existing HIV infrastructure in Nigeria. Methods This study used a mixed methods study design with a virtual modified nominal group technique (NGT) process aligning with Implementation Mapping steps 1-3. Eleven stakeholders (six program staff and five healthcare providers and administrators) participated in a virtual NGT process which occurred in two phases. The first phase utilized online surveys, and the second phase utilized an NGT and implementation mapping process. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework was used to elicit discussion around determinants and strategies from the outer context (i.e., country and regions), inner organizational context of existing HIV infrastructure, bridging factors that relate to bi-directional influences, and the health innovation to be implemented (in this case cervical cancer screening and treatment). During the NGT, the group ranked implementation barriers and voted on implementation strategies using Mentimeter. Results Eighteen determinants to integrating cervical cancer screening and treatment into existing comprehensive HIV programs were related to human resources capacity, access to cervical cancer services, logistics management, clinic, and client-related factors. The top 3 determinants included gaps in human resources capacity, poor access to cervical cancer services, and lack of demand for services resulting from lack of awareness about the disease and servicesA set of six core implementation strategies and two enhanced implementation strategies were identified. Conclusions Rapid Implementation Mapping is a feasible and acceptable approach for identifying and articulating implementation determinants, mechanisms, and strategies for complex healthcare interventions in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ijeoma Uchenna Itanyi
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Clare Viglione
- UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI) Dissemination and Implementation Science Center, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Anne F. Rositch
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - John Olajide Olawepo
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Babayemi Oluwaseun Olakunde
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Akudo Ikpeazu
- National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Uche Nwokwu
- National Cancer Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Nwamaka Lasebikan
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- Oncology Center, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Echezona Edozie Ezeanolue
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria
- HealthySunrise Foundation, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Gregory A. Aarons
- UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI) Dissemination and Implementation Science Center, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Ogunsola OO, Olawepo JO, Ajayi O, Osayi E, Akinro YT, Ifechelobi C, Chigbu C, Okonkwo P, Ezeanolue EE. AVIVA: a telehealth tool to improve cervical cancer screening in resource-constrained settings. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012311. [PMID: 37433694 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer accounts for 21.7% of all cancer deaths in the sub-Saharan Africa with a case fatality rate of 68%. Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health has adopted cervical cancer screening (CCS) using visual inspection with acetic acid or Lugol's iodine (VIA/VILI) and cryotherapy treatment for precancerous lesions as the preferred screening and treatment strategy. Using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment Framework, our study documents our experience during the development, piloting and roll-out of the APIN Public Health Initiatives (APIN)-developed VIA Visual Application (AVIVA) for CCS using the VIA method in 86 APIN-supported health facilities across 7 states in Nigeria. Between December 2019 and June 2022, with the aid of 9 gynaecologists and 133 case finders, a total of 29 262 women living with HIV received VIA-based CCS and 1609 of them were VIA-positive, corresponding to VIA positivity rate of 5.5%. Over the 30 months duration and the 5 phases of CCS scale-up, AVIVA development and expansion, a total of 1247 cases were shared via the AVIVA App (3741 pictures), with 1058 of such cases undergoing expert review, corresponding to a reviewer rate of 84.8%. Overall, the use of the AVIVA App improved both the VIA-positive and VIA-negative concordance rates by 16 percentage points each (26%-42% and 80%-96%, respectively) from baseline to the end of the study. We concluded that the AVIVA App is an innovative tool to improve CCS rates and diagnostic precision by connecting health facility staff and expert reviewers in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Olajide Olawepo
- Center For Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Oluseye Ajayi
- Prevention and Community Services, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel Osayi
- Clinical Services, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Chibuike Chigbu
- Center For Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | | | - Echezona Edozie Ezeanolue
- Center For Translation and Implementation Research, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Healthy Sunrise Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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