Projects

Commencing in October 2022, this community-based cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Lassa virus (LASV) infection in Ikorodu Local Government Area (Lagos State). The protocol's successful implementation concluded in July 2023, leading to the initiation of the MPOX study.

Beginning in 2017, this study on Severe Infectious Disease Surveillance and Detection in West Africa was conducted at 161 Nigerian Airforce Hospital Makurdi and 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba. The study, supported by HIFASS health professionals, explored the infectious causes and frequencies of severe acute illnesses. The implementation ended in Makurdi in April 2021 and in Yaba in October 2022, transitioning to the LASSA Epi protocol.

Health Initiatives for Safety and Stability in Africa - Local OVC Partners in Nigeria Region 3 (HIFASS-LOPIN 3) started in 2014 as a five-year USAID-funded project, implementing the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program in Cross River and Ebonyi States, with the goal of mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and their households.

The project works to improve systems and structures at state, LGA and community levels to ensure provision of quality care, protection and support services to Children Living with HIV (CLHIV), Adolescents Living with HIV (ALHIV) and their households and support improved organizational and technical capacities of local CSOs to provide care and support services to CLHIV and ALHIV in all states of operation.

As at August 2018, 56,818 OVCs and Caregivers were catered for by the project. They received services in health, education, birth registration, psychosocial support, HIV Testing Services and economic empowerment for vulnerable households and adolescents in the form of seed grants for business startup, skill acquisition and receipt of start-up materials for business. After attainment of the nationally approved care level, 23,972 beneficiary OVCs and their households were graduated from the project. This graduation covered implementation sites in Ebonyi state and nine Local Government Areas in Cross River state.

With the realignment of PEPFAR activities in 2018, project activities were streamlined to five local government areas in Cross River state – Calabar South, Calabar Municipal, Akamkpa, Odukpani and Akpabuyo. Services received by the enrollees include Community Case Management, referral services, nutritional assessment as well as growth monitoring and referral of malnourished children to care, economic empowerment of highly vulnerable households, educational support, Gender Based Violence prevention and response, child and social protection services etc.

In 2019, USAID introduced the surge response to HIV strategy, after review of the National AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). HIFASS-LOPIN 3 was given three additional states of implementation – Akwa Ibom, Kano and Adamawa State. With the same goal but with greater focus on children, the project is working hard to identify positive children, link them to treatment and ensure their caregivers are empowered with knowledge (for example – proper nutrition) and other areas including economic support, where necessary, so the children can receive appropriate care and lead normal lives.

Ultimately, it is expected that every child enrolled in the project will emerge healthy, safe, stable, schooled.

In October 2018, HIFASS was sub-awarded a 9-month (3 October, 2018– 30 June, 2019) contract of NGN47,666,572.50 Society for Family Health (SFH) to implement the GF-HIV-NFM project. The project was implemented alongside with an FSW-led CBO, Passion and Concern for Women Welfare and Empowerment Initiative (PACOWWEI) in 3 LGAs of the Federal Capital Territory. It sought to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS among the key population by strengthening the capacity of Key Affected Populations (KAP) local organizations to deliver and impact positively in the lives of female sex workers with their clients at the grassroots level with key, high-quality HIV prevention and Minimum Prevention Package Intervention (MPPI) within Bwari, Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Council. The FSW component of the project was aimed at reaching high to higher risk Female Sex Worker (FSW) who are vulnerable to HIV using different approach that can best achieve a behavioral change and also the uptake of several biomedical services which include; STI syndromic management, HIV Testing Services, Condom use, Gender Based Violence referral. The MPPI target of 2440 given was reached and surpassed by 2658.

HIFASS has recruited and managed staff to support several research protocols- RV 230 and RV 352 that are funded by Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine.

HJF -RV 230 was a cross sectional study aim at mapping the common strains of HIV found in indigenous communities in Nigeria and aimed at developing an effective HIV vaccine.

HJF -RV 352 was an evaluation of HIV and Malaria co infection in two Nigerian Military Hospital

The contract was aimed at HIV and STI prevalence, incidence and risk behaviours Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Nigeria and the impact of providing HIV medical and prevention services to Nigeria MSM at a trusted community centre.

In April 2018, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) awarded HIFASS a grant of NGN41,413,336.00 to provide emergency assistance to refugees in Cross River and Benue states respectively. The response included distribution of food and non-food items, health assistance and shelter. The project whose goal was PB Emergency response was executed within 6 months (April 1– September 30, 2018). Public Health, Nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services were provided to registered Cameroonian refugees in Benue and Cross River States and other new arrivals of Cameroonian refugees.

30th September 2018 marked the final day of the Strategic Integration of Nigeria Military HIV/AIDS Response (SINM-HAR) project that lasted five years. Many lessons have been learned and many achievements have been made. The projects partners and all involved will now continue to spread knowledge about HIV Prevention and treatment; Family planning; HIV integration activities amongst others and hope to inspire others to take action!

The project SINM-HAR was a 3 year (2013-2016) structured comprehensive HIV/AIDS technical support program aimed at increasing access, improving quality and transitioning towards fully Nigerian owned sustainable services in the Nigeria Military. However, the Cooperative Agreement had further modifications which extended the project to 2018.

HIFASS supported key areas of HIV/AIDS services in the military under the SINMHAR project which were; Basic Health Care and Support (HBHC), Laboratory infrastructure (HLAB), Health System Strengthening (OHSS), ARV drugs (HTXD), Adult Treatment (HTXS), HIV Counselling and Testing (HVCT), and Strategic Information (HVSI). Services provided by HIFASS in the SINMHAR project pertained mainly in Human Resources Management and strengthening which was crosscutting among all programme areas listed above.

To ensure the quality of service delivery provided by HIFASS under the SINMHAR, HIFASS ensured the recruitment of an adequate number of staff required to run the project. However, in order to ensure sustainability of the services provided, a steering committee was set up in November 2017 and mandated to brainstorm approaches to sustainability and make recommendations. A list of 39 staff has been submitted for absorption into Nigerian Ministry of Defence.

Benue State Agency for Control of AIDS (BENSACA) through the World Bank credit awarded HIFASS a grant of ₦5, 941,000 to provide demand creation for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) amongst pregnant women in 35 Benue State communities. These communities are spread across 4 LGAs in the state. The objectives of the project include increased uptake of Antenatal Care (ANC) services, increased number of women who know their HIV status during pregnancy and, eventually, increased facility based deliveries amongst these same women. Project implementation was in accordance with the National Prevention Plan (2010-2015) and approved National MPPI guideline. The target of the HAF 2 project in Benue State was to mobilize 2800 pregnant women (primary beneficiaries) for ANC/PMTCT services in a health facility within 24 months. By the end of the project in July 2015, a total of 4893 pregnant women were referred for ANC/PMTCT services during peer sessions, out of which 3,067 pregnant women received ANC/PMTCT services exceeding the project target by 9.5%.

The FCT Agency for Control of AIDS (FACA) also through the World Bank credit awarded HIFASS a grant of ₦21, 743,000 to provide demand creation for PMTCT amongst pregnant women in 7 wards within the Federal Capital Territory. The objectives of both projects include increased uptake of Antenatal Care (ANC) services, increased number of women who know their HIV status during pregnancy and, eventually, increased facility based deliveries amongst these same women. Project implementation was in accordance with the National Prevention Plan (2010-2015) and approved National MPPI guideline. By September 2015, 2225 pregnant women have received ANC/PMTCT services in PHCs spread across the project LGAs of the FCT thereby exceeding the project target of 1790 beneficiaries by 24.3%. The projects collaborate with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and community volunteers to refer clients for primary health care services including PMTCT, malaria prevention, and control. The project was completed in July 2016.

HIFASS in partnership with MOD-HIP/DoD WRP-Nigeria had been involved in the capacity building of malaria Microscopists. HIFASS has, among the trainers on malaria diagnosis in Nigeria, one and the only WHO External Competency Assessment of Malaria Microscopists Trainer/Facilitator in the English speaking West African countries. HIFASS also has WHO level 1 Expert Malaria Microscopist.