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Effective, quality reproductive, maternal, and child health services including family planning, and female education and empowerment are likely to accelerate demographic transition and yield a demographic dividend. Nigeria's lower life expectancy is partially due to having more deaths in children of 5 years and younger than any other country in the world, including more populous India and China and countries experiencing widespread long-term conflict, such as Somalia. Interventions are needed to improve child nutrition, reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution, address unmet family planning needs, and improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Nigeria needs better manufacturing capacity for essential health products, medicines and vaccines, the provision of diagnostics, surveillance and preventive public health measures in health facilities and community settings, as well as other preventive and curative measures.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a complication of untreated throat infection by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus with a high prevalence among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Despite its high incidence and prevalence, RHD prevention is not a priority in major global health discussions. The reasons for the apparent neglect are multifactorial, including underestimated morbidity and mortality burden, underappreciated economic burden, lack of public awareness, and lack of sustainable investment. In this review, we recommend multisectoral collaboration to tackle the burden of RHD by engaging the public, health experts, and policymakers; augmenting funding for clinical care; improving distribution channels for prophylaxis, and increasing research and innovation as critical interventions to save millions of people from preventable morbidity and mortality.

Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), is an emerging public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aims to determine the trends in prevalence of MDR-TB among new TB cases in sub-Saharan Africa over two decades. We searched electronic data bases and accessed all prevalence studies of MDR-TB within SSA between 2007 and 2017. We determined pooled prevalence estimates using random effects models and determined trends using meta-regression. Results: We identified 915 studies satisfying inclusion criteria. Cumulatively, studies reported on MDR-TB culture of 34,652 persons. The pooled prevalence of MDR-TB in new cases was 2.1% (95% CI; 1.7-2.5%). There was a non-significant decline in prevalence by 0.12% per year. We found a low prevalence estimate of MDR-TB, and a slight temporal decline over the study period. There is a need for continuous MDR-TB surveillance among patients with TB.

The transition to PEPFAR 2.0 with its focus on country ownership was accompanied by substantial funding cuts. We describe the impact of this transition on HIV care in a large network of HIV clinics in Nigeria. We surveyed 30 comprehensive HIV treatment clinics to assess services supported before (October 2013-September 2014) and after (October 2014-September 2015) the PEPFAR funding policy change, the impact of these policy changes on service delivery areas, and response of clinics to the change. We compared differences in support for staffing, laboratory services, and clinical operations pre- and post-policy change using paired t-tests. We used framework analysis to assess answers to open ended questions describing responses to the policy change. Most sites (83%, n = 25) completed the survey. The majority were public (60%, n = 15) and secondary (68%, n = 17) facilities. Clinics had a median of 989 patients in care (IQR: 543-3326). All clinics continued to receive support for first and second line antiretrovirals and CD4 testing after the policy change, while no clinics received support for other routine drug monitoring labs. We found statistically significant reductions in support for viral load testing, staff employment, defaulter tracking, and prevention services (92% vs. 64%, p = 0.02; 80% vs. 20%, 100% vs. 44%, 84% vs. 16%, respectively, p<0.01 for all) after the policy change. Service delivery was hampered by interrupted laboratory services and reduced wages and staff positions leading to reduced provider morale, and compromised quality of care. Almost all sites (96%) introduced user fees to address funding shortages. Clinics in Nigeria are experiencing major challenges in providing routine HIV services as a result of PEPFAR's policy changes. Funding cutbacks have been associated with compromised quality of care, staff shortages, and reliance on fee-based care for historically free services. Sustainable HIV services funding models are urgently needed.

The knowledge, attitude, and practice of emergency neonatal resuscitation are critical requirements in any facility that offers obstetric and neonatal services. This study aims to conduct a needs assessment survey and obtain individual and facility-level data on expertise and readiness for neonatal resuscitation. We hypothesize that neonatal emergency preparedness among healthcare providers in Kano, Nigeria is associated with the level of knowledge, attitudinal disposition, practice and equipment availability at the facility level. A semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was administered to a cross-section of health providers directly involved with neonatal care (n = 112) and attending a neonatal resuscitation workshop in Kano state. Information regarding knowledge, attitude, practice and facility preparedness for neonatal resuscitation was obtained. Bloom's cut-off score and a validated basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care assessment tool were adopted to categorize outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine independent predictors of knowledge and practice. Almost half (48% and 42% respectively) of the respondents reported average level of self-assessed knowledge and comfort during resuscitation. Only 7% (95% CI:3.2-13.7) and 5% (95% CI:2.0-11.4) of health providers demonstrated good knowledge and practice scores respectively, with an overall facility preparedness of 46%. Respondents' profession as a physician compared to nurses and midwives predicted good knowledge (aOR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01-0.69; p = 0.01), but not practice. Healthcare provider's knowledge and practice including facility preparedness for emergency neonatal resuscitation were suboptimal, despite the respondents' relatively high self-assessed attitudinal perception. Physicians demonstrated higher knowledge compared to other health professionals. The low level of respondents' awareness, practice, and facility readiness suggest the current weak state of secondary health systems in Kano.

Despite decades of efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) in the United States (US), TB still contributes to adverse ill health, especially among racial/ethnic minorities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016, about 87% of the TB cases reported in the US were among racial and ethnic minorities. The objective of this study is to explore the risks for pregnancy complications and in-hospital death among mothers diagnosed with TB across racial/ethnic groups in the US. This retrospective cohort study utilized National Inpatient Sample data for all inpatient hospital discharges in the US. We analyzed pregnancy-related hospitalizations and births in the US from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2014 (n = 57,393,459). Multivariable logistic regression was applied to generate odds ratios for the association between TB status and the primary study outcomes (i.e., pregnancy complications and in-hospital death) across racial/ethnic categories. The prevalence of TB was 7.1 per 100,000 pregnancy-related hospitalizations. The overall prevalence of pregnancy complications was 80% greater among TB-infected mothers than their uninfected counterparts. Severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, placenta previa, post-partum hemorrhage, sepsis and anemia occurred with greater frequency among mothers with a TB diagnosis than those without TB, irrespective of race/ethnicity. The rate of in-hospital death among TB patients was 37 times greater among TB-infected than in non-TB infected mothers (468.8 per 100,000 versus 12.6 per 100,000). A 3-fold increased risk of in-hospital death was observed among black TB-negative mothers compared to their white counterparts. No racial/ethnic disparities in maternal morbidity or in-hospital death were found among mothers with TB disease. TB continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality among pregnant women in the US. Resources to address TB disease should also target pregnant women, especially racial/ethnic minorities who bear the greatest burden of the disease.

Background: Against a background of security challenges, Nigeria conducted recently the largest population-based HIV survey in the world to ascertain the burden of the HIV disease in the country.Objective: We evaluated the main outcomes of the survey and the level of success using participation/response indicators.Methods: The survey was conducted from July–December 2018 by over 6,000 field staff across Nigeria in six consecutive webs, using two-stage cluster sampling. We estimated the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the entire country and by conflict zone status. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from survey logistic regression models were used to compare the likelihood of test positivity for the three infections between zones.Findings: A total of 186,405 adults were interviewed from 97,250 households in 3,848 census enumeration areas. The overall HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C positivity rates were 1.55%, 7.63% and 1.73%, respectively. The prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C infection was significantly greater in conflict than non-conflict zones (HIV: 1.75% versus 1.0%; hepatitis B: 9.9% versus 7.3%; and hepatitis C: 3.2% versus 0.3%; p < 0.01 in all cases). Individuals living in conflict zones were about three times as likely to test positive for HIV (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 2.08, 3.60) and nearly six times as likely to test positive for hepatitis C (OR = 5.90, 95% CI = 2.17, 16.67).Conclusion: Large population-based surveys are feasible, even in armed conflict settings. The burden of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C was significantly higher in areas of conflict in Nigeria, highlighting the need for reinforced public health control measures in these settings in order to attain UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets of controlling the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Global HIV funding cutbacks have been accompanied by the adoption of user fees to address funding gaps in treatment programs. Our objective was to assess the impact of user fees on HIV care utilization and medication adherence in Nigeria. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in care before (October 2012-September 2013) and after (October 2014-September 2015) the introduction of user fees in a Nigerian clinic. We assessed pre- vs. post-user fee patient characteristics and enrollment trends, and determined risk of care interruption, loss to follow-up, and optimal medication adherence. After fees were instituted, there was a 66% decline in patient enrollment and 75% decline in number of ART doses dispensed. There was no difference in the proportion of female clients (64% vs 63%, p = 0.46), average age (36 vs. 37 years, p = 0.15), or median baseline CD4 (220/ul vs. 222/uL, p = 0.24) in pre- and post-fee cohorts. There was an increase in clients employed and/or had tertiary education (24% vs. 32%, p<0.001). Compared to pre-fee patients, the post-fee period had a 48% decreased risk of care interruption (aRR = 0.52, 95%CI:0.39-0.69), 22% decreased LTFU risk (aRR = 0.64, 95%CI:0.96), and 27% decreased odds of optimal medication adherence (aOR = 0.7, 3 95%CI 0.59-0.89). Patients enrolled in care after introduction of user fees in Nigeria were more likely to be educated or employed, and effectively retained in care after starting ART. However, fees were accompanied by a drastic reduction in new patient enrollment, suggesting that many patients may have been marginalized from HIV care.

In much of sub-Saharan Africa, male partners play influential roles in women's access to maternal-child healthcare, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services. We explored male partner perspectives on women's access to maternal-child healthcare in North-Central Nigeria. Three focus groups were conducted with 30 men, purposefully-selected on the basis of being married, and rural or urban residence. Major themes explored were men's maternal-child health knowledge, gender power dynamics in women's access to healthcare, and peer support for pregnant and postpartum women. Data were manually analyzed using Grounded Theory, which involves constructing theories out of data collected, rather than applying pre-formed theories. Mean participant age was 48.3 years, with 36.7% aged <40 years, 46.7% between 41 and 60 years, and 16.6% over 60 years old. Religious affiliation was self-reported; 60% of participants were Muslim and 40% were Christian. There was consensus on the acceptability of maternal-child health services and their importance for optimal maternal-infant outcomes. Citing underlying patriarchal norms, participants acknowledged that men had more influence in family health decision-making than women. However, positive interpersonal couple relationships were thought to facilitate equitable decision-making among couples. Financial constraints, male-unfriendly clinics and poor healthcare worker attitudes were major barriers to women's access and male partner involvement. The provision of psychosocial and maternal peer support from trained women was deemed highly acceptable for both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Strategic engagement of community leaders, including traditional and religious leaders, is needed to address harmful norms and practices underlying gender inequity in health decision-making. Gender mainstreaming, where the needs and concerns of both men and women are considered, should be applied in maternal-child healthcare education and delivery. Clinic fee reductions or elimination can facilitate service access. Finally, professional organizations can do more to reinforce respectful maternity care among healthcare workers.

Despite availability of effective cure, tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death in children. In many high-burden countries, childhood TB is underdiagnosed and underreported, and care is often accessed too late, resulting in adverse treatment outcomes. In this study, we examined the time to death and its associated factors among a cohort of children that commenced TB treatment in a large treatment centre in northern Nigeria. This is a retrospective cohort study of children that started TB treatment between 2010 and 2014. We determined mortality rates per 100 person-months of treatment, as well as across treatment and calendar periods. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to determine adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for factors associated with mortality. Among 299 children with a median age 4 years and HIV prevalence of 33.4%; 85 (28.4%) died after 1,383 months of follow-up. Overall mortality rate was 6.1 per 100 person-months. Deaths occurred early during treatment and declined from 42.4 per 100 person-months in the 1st week of treatment to 2.2 per 100 person-months after at the 3rd month of treatment. Mortality was highest between October to December period (9.1 per 100 pm) and lowest between July and September (2.8 per 100 pm). Risk factors for mortality included previous TB treatment (aHR 2.04:95%CI;1.09-3.84); HIV infection (aHR 1.66:95%CI;1.02-2.71), having either extra-pulmonary disease (aHR 2.21:95%CI;1.26-3.89) or both pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease (aHR 3.03:95%CI;1.70-5.40). Mortality was high and occurred early during treatment in this cohort, likely indicative of poor access to prompt TB diagnosis and treatment. A redoubling of efforts at improving universal health coverage are required to achieve the End TB Strategy target of zero deaths from TB.