Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria

Jasini Joseph; Emmanuel Opada; Ndifreke James; Yunana Paul; Udenenwu Henry; Fadoju Sunkanmi; Dickson Peter; Affiah Nsikan

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria

Jasini Joseph, Emmanuel Opada, Ndifreke James, Yunana Paul, Udenenwu Henry, Fadoju Sunkanmi, Dickson Peter, Affiah Nsikan

Published in International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 8, Issue 1)

Received: 20 January 2022 Accepted: 8 February 2022 Published: 16 February 2022

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Abstract

The COVID-19 Pandemic has continued its devastating trend since its emergence and the negative impact is still being felt across the world. The pandemic has led to health service disruption and in some cases total collapse of services. In resource constrain settings, the situation is not different especially among PLHIV where declaration of lockdown and restriction of movement have affected ART provision and other essential HIV services. This study aimed at determining the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV viral load (VL) testing services. The study adopted a case study approach with a sample size of 449 PLHIV client VL history collected retrospectively from laboratory records. Qualitative approached was also adopted with 3 key informants involved in viral load sample handling interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using STATA14 and NVIVO. The results revealed that, out of the total VL samples collected, 81% (n=363) of the collected samples were transported before the COVID-19 Pandemic and 19% (n=86) were transported during the pandemic. Furthermore, more than one-half of the client’s samples, 89% (n=217) had their viral load suppressed within the period under study. The average HIV VL turn-around-time (TAT) of the study was 77 days, that is 71 days before COVID-19 and 83 days during COVID-19. The study concluded that HIV VL turnaround time increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with possible devastating effective on management of HIV patient disease.

Published in	International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14
Page(s)	19-23
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

COVID-19 Pandemic, Viral Load, Turn-Around-Time, HIV

References

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[3]	World Population Dashboard, Nigeria. (2021). https://www.unfpa.org/data/world-population/NG.
[4]	Nneka S. Amalu. (2015). Impact of Boko Haram Insurgency on Human Security in Nigeria. Global Journal of Social Sciences; Http://Dx.Doi.Org/10.4314/Gjss.V14i1.4.
[5]	Nigeria Humanitarian Needs Overview. (2021) https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/ocha_nga_humanitarian_needs_overview_march2021.pdf.pdf.
[6]	Dan-Nwafor, C., Ochu, C. L., Elimian, K., Oladejo, J., Ilori, E., Umeokonkwo, C., Steinhardt, L., Igumbor, E., Wagai, J., Okwor, T., Aderinola, O., Mba, N., Hassan, A., Dalhat, M., Jinadu, K., Badaru, S., Arinze, C., Jafiya, A., Disu, Y., Saleh, F.,… Ihekweazu, C. (2020). Nigeria's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic: January to May 2020. Journal of global health, 10 (2), 020399. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.10.020399.
[7]	National Guidelines for HIV Prevention Treatment and Care. Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. (2016).
[8]	World Health Organization. (2020). WHO scales up support as Borno State confirms COVID-19 Outbreak. Published 20^th April 2020. https://www.afro.who.int/news/who-scales-support-borno-state-confirms-COVID-19-outbreak.
[9]	National Guidelines for HIV Prevention Treatment and Care. Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. (2020).
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[11]	Waterfield, K. C., Shah, G. H., Etheredge, G. D. et al. (2021) Consequences of COVID-19 crisis for persons with HIV: the impact of social determinants of health. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10296-9.
[12]	Shadmi, E., Chen, Y., Dourado, I. et al. (2020). Health equity and COVID-19: global perspectives. International Journal of Equity Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01218-z.
[13]	Dunn, G. (2018). The impact of the Boko Haram insurgency in Northeast Nigeria on childhood wasting: a double-difference study. Conflict and Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-018-0136-2.
[14]	Abraham, S. A., Berchie, G. O., Doe, P. F. et al. (2021). Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on ART Service delivery: perspectives of healthcare workers in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana. BMC Health Services Research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07330-2.
[15]	Lagat, H., Sharma, M., Kariithi, E., Otieno, G., Katz, D., Masyuko, S., Mugambi, M., Wamuti, B., Weiner, B., & Farquhar, C. (2020). Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Testing and Assisted Partner Notification Services, Western Kenya. AIDS and behavior, 24 (11), 3010–3013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02938-7.
[16]	Schwartz, S. R., Kavanagh, M. M., Sugarman, J., Solomon, S. S., Njindam, I. M., Rebe, K., Quinn, T. C., Toure-Kane, C., Beyrer, C., & Baral, S. (2017). HIV viral load monitoring among key populations in low- and middle-income countries: challenges and opportunities. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 20 Suppl 7 (Suppl 7), e25003. https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25003.

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APA Style

Jasini Joseph, Emmanuel Opada, Ndifreke James, Yunana Paul, Udenenwu Henry, et al. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 8(1), 19-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14

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ACS Style

Jasini Joseph; Emmanuel Opada; Ndifreke James; Yunana Paul; Udenenwu Henry, et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2022, 8(1), 19-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14

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AMA Style

Jasini Joseph, Emmanuel Opada, Ndifreke James, Yunana Paul, Udenenwu Henry, et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2022;8(1):19-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14,
  author = {Jasini Joseph and Emmanuel Opada and Ndifreke James and Yunana Paul and Udenenwu Henry and Fadoju Sunkanmi and Dickson Peter and Affiah Nsikan},
  title = {Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {19-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20220801.14},
  abstract = {The COVID-19 Pandemic has continued its devastating trend since its emergence and the negative impact is still being felt across the world. The pandemic has led to health service disruption and in some cases total collapse of services. In resource constrain settings, the situation is not different especially among PLHIV where declaration of lockdown and restriction of movement have affected ART provision and other essential HIV services. This study aimed at determining the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV viral load (VL) testing services. The study adopted a case study approach with a sample size of 449 PLHIV client VL history collected retrospectively from laboratory records. Qualitative approached was also adopted with 3 key informants involved in viral load sample handling interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using STATA14 and NVIVO. The results revealed that, out of the total VL samples collected, 81% (n=363) of the collected samples were transported before the COVID-19 Pandemic and 19% (n=86) were transported during the pandemic. Furthermore, more than one-half of the client’s samples, 89% (n=217) had their viral load suppressed within the period under study. The average HIV VL turn-around-time (TAT) of the study was 77 days, that is 71 days before COVID-19 and 83 days during COVID-19. The study concluded that HIV VL turnaround time increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with possible devastating effective on management of HIV patient disease.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria
AU  - Jasini Joseph
AU  - Emmanuel Opada
AU  - Ndifreke James
AU  - Yunana Paul
AU  - Udenenwu Henry
AU  - Fadoju Sunkanmi
AU  - Dickson Peter
AU  - Affiah Nsikan
Y1  - 2022/02/16
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14
T2  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
SP  - 19
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5765
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14
AB  - The COVID-19 Pandemic has continued its devastating trend since its emergence and the negative impact is still being felt across the world. The pandemic has led to health service disruption and in some cases total collapse of services. In resource constrain settings, the situation is not different especially among PLHIV where declaration of lockdown and restriction of movement have affected ART provision and other essential HIV services. This study aimed at determining the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV viral load (VL) testing services. The study adopted a case study approach with a sample size of 449 PLHIV client VL history collected retrospectively from laboratory records. Qualitative approached was also adopted with 3 key informants involved in viral load sample handling interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using STATA14 and NVIVO. The results revealed that, out of the total VL samples collected, 81% (n=363) of the collected samples were transported before the COVID-19 Pandemic and 19% (n=86) were transported during the pandemic. Furthermore, more than one-half of the client’s samples, 89% (n=217) had their viral load suppressed within the period under study. The average HIV VL turn-around-time (TAT) of the study was 77 days, that is 71 days before COVID-19 and 83 days during COVID-19. The study concluded that HIV VL turnaround time increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with possible devastating effective on management of HIV patient disease.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Jasini Joseph

International Centre for AIDS Care and Treatment Program, Yola, Nigeria
Emmanuel Opada

Victoria County Public Health Department, Victoria, USA
Ndifreke James

Action Against Hunger, Potiskum, Nigeria
Yunana Paul

Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Udenenwu Henry

Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Fadoju Sunkanmi

Creative Associate International, Abuja, Nigeria
Dickson Peter

Lafiya-Heron Consortium, International Rescue Committee, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Affiah Nsikan

Research Triangle Institute, Abuja, Nigeria

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APA Style

Jasini Joseph, Emmanuel Opada, Ndifreke James, Yunana Paul, Udenenwu Henry, et al. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 8(1), 19-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14

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ACS Style

Jasini Joseph; Emmanuel Opada; Ndifreke James; Yunana Paul; Udenenwu Henry, et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2022, 8(1), 19-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14

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AMA Style

Jasini Joseph, Emmanuel Opada, Ndifreke James, Yunana Paul, Udenenwu Henry, et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2022;8(1):19-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14,
  author = {Jasini Joseph and Emmanuel Opada and Ndifreke James and Yunana Paul and Udenenwu Henry and Fadoju Sunkanmi and Dickson Peter and Affiah Nsikan},
  title = {Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {19-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20220801.14},
  abstract = {The COVID-19 Pandemic has continued its devastating trend since its emergence and the negative impact is still being felt across the world. The pandemic has led to health service disruption and in some cases total collapse of services. In resource constrain settings, the situation is not different especially among PLHIV where declaration of lockdown and restriction of movement have affected ART provision and other essential HIV services. This study aimed at determining the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV viral load (VL) testing services. The study adopted a case study approach with a sample size of 449 PLHIV client VL history collected retrospectively from laboratory records. Qualitative approached was also adopted with 3 key informants involved in viral load sample handling interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using STATA14 and NVIVO. The results revealed that, out of the total VL samples collected, 81% (n=363) of the collected samples were transported before the COVID-19 Pandemic and 19% (n=86) were transported during the pandemic. Furthermore, more than one-half of the client’s samples, 89% (n=217) had their viral load suppressed within the period under study. The average HIV VL turn-around-time (TAT) of the study was 77 days, that is 71 days before COVID-19 and 83 days during COVID-19. The study concluded that HIV VL turnaround time increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with possible devastating effective on management of HIV patient disease.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Turn-Around-Time of HIV Viral Load Testing Services: A Case Study of a Selected Health Facility in the Northeast, Nigeria
AU  - Jasini Joseph
AU  - Emmanuel Opada
AU  - Ndifreke James
AU  - Yunana Paul
AU  - Udenenwu Henry
AU  - Fadoju Sunkanmi
AU  - Dickson Peter
AU  - Affiah Nsikan
Y1  - 2022/02/16
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14
T2  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO  - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
SP  - 19
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5765
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220801.14
AB  - The COVID-19 Pandemic has continued its devastating trend since its emergence and the negative impact is still being felt across the world. The pandemic has led to health service disruption and in some cases total collapse of services. In resource constrain settings, the situation is not different especially among PLHIV where declaration of lockdown and restriction of movement have affected ART provision and other essential HIV services. This study aimed at determining the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV viral load (VL) testing services. The study adopted a case study approach with a sample size of 449 PLHIV client VL history collected retrospectively from laboratory records. Qualitative approached was also adopted with 3 key informants involved in viral load sample handling interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using STATA14 and NVIVO. The results revealed that, out of the total VL samples collected, 81% (n=363) of the collected samples were transported before the COVID-19 Pandemic and 19% (n=86) were transported during the pandemic. Furthermore, more than one-half of the client’s samples, 89% (n=217) had their viral load suppressed within the period under study. The average HIV VL turn-around-time (TAT) of the study was 77 days, that is 71 days before COVID-19 and 83 days during COVID-19. The study concluded that HIV VL turnaround time increased during the COVID-19 pandemic with possible devastating effective on management of HIV patient disease.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download