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Institute Receives Awards for Quality HIV Prevention Services

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The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has received awards for outstanding provision of HIV prevention services for People who Inject Drugs (PWID), and for quality reporting of gender-based violence services.

IHVN Prevention Lead, Mrs. Comfort Ochigbo officially presented the awards to the Institute’s management represented by IHVN Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah.

Mrs. Ochigbo said that the award from FHI-360 was for the excellent provision of prevention services to more than 9,900 PWID in Rivers State from April 2022 to December 2023

“IHVN provided these services as a sub-recipient to FHI-360 on the Global Fund National Aligned HIV/AIDS Initiative Grant (NAHI). In 23 Local Government Areas of the state, we provided community naloxone distribution to prevent death from opioid overdose, medical-assisted therapy assessment, condom distribution, and peer outreaches. IHVN also promoted safe injection practices, and implemented evidence-based interventions using hot-spot analysis,” she said.

Mrs. Ochigbo added that the Institute worked with the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS, the Global Initiative for Health and Rights, and Diadem Consults.

“We organized frequent joint meetings with stakeholders like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Police Command, local vigilante groups, youth groups, religious leaders and lawyers for an enabling environment for services to get to PWIDs.”

According to her, other approaches adopted that led to excellent delivery of prevention services in the state include, providing peer volunteers working in the community with identity cards, branded bags, and face caps with the national emblem. A social media group was also formed to share relevant information.

Mrs. Ochigbo noted that the second award was from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for excellent large-scale reporting of gender-based violence data on the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Dashboard.

“After receiving training from the Ministry, we stepped down the training to staff from 70 of our supported facilities. They reported Gender-Based Violence cases, referral services, survivors who received post-GBV care services, GBV cases prosecuted amongst other indicators,” she said.

IHVN emerged as the second-best organization and the only PEPFAR Implementing partner to report quality large-scale report program data.

IHVN Prevention Lead, Mrs. Comfort Ochigbo,  IHVN Chief Operating Officer/ Managing Director, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah and IHVN Director Prevention, Care and Treatment, Dr. Helen Omuh at the award presentation to management.
Data Manager Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Sunday Agbabiaja, presenting the award for excellent large-scale reporting of gender-based violence data to  IHVN Senior Program Officer Prevention Care and Treatment, Mrs. Derby Collins-Kalu.

Study and Data Coordinator – Digital Health for Key Populations in HIV Care and Prevention

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The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria  (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, care, and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at the national, state, and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to provide quality health services, capacity building, and research in West Africa and beyond.

The Resilient HIV Implementation Science with Sexual & Gender Minority Youths using Evidence (RISE) study to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the HealthMpowerment (HMP) mobile health application is a new 5-year NIH- funded  multi-country projected from UMB in collaboration with 5 clinical research performance sites (CRPS) across four countries in sub-Saharan Africa – Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. UMB has a subcontract with IHVN being one of the two sites in Nigeria.

IHVN is seeking qualified candidates for the following position:

PositionStudy and Data Coordinator – Digital Health for Key Populations in HIV Care and Prevention
Reports toResearch Coordinator
Location:Nigeria

Opening Date: 09/01/2024

Closing Date:  22/01/2024

Job Summary:

IHVN is seeking a dedicated and passionate Study and Data Coordinator to join our team and play a crucial role in a groundbreaking project focused on improving HIV care and prevention among key populations through digital health interventions. The successful candidate will work closely with healthcare providers and key population civil society organizations to ensure the smooth execution of the project, as well as actively engage key population community members in the process.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the day-to-day coordination and management of the digital health project for key populations.
  • Collaborate with the research team to develop and refine project objectives, timelines and deliverables.
  • Ensure that project activities are executed in compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations.
  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key population groups.
  • Conduct outreaches and community mobilization efforts to ensure active participation in the project.
  • Act as a liaison between the project team and key population communities to address concerns and facilitate communication.
  • Oversee the deployment of digital health interventions, including mobile apps and other technology-based solutions.
  • Support Data Officers in training healthcare staff and key population participants on the use of digital tools, monitor participant use of the digital health app, and ensure their ongoing engagement.
  • Work with the digital health app development team to develop and update app content, as well as troubleshooting issues.
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of digital health interventions in improving HIV care and prevention.
  • Collaborate with data analysts to collect, manage, and analyze project data.
  • Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data collected from key population participants.
  • Work with data officers and data management staff to ensure that data submission, quality control (QC), error correction, data processing and entry are functioning smoothly.
  • Identify and follow up on delinquent data and serves  as back-up to the data manager.
  • Responsible for system/account maintenance for site staff to access the REDCap web portal and other data management applications. The CRS Coordinator will work with the CRC.
  • Conduct data quality assurance activities for the study sites:
    • Prepare regular progress reports and contribute to research publications.
    • Implement quality assurance measures to ensure that project activities meet established standards.
    • Conduct regular assessments and make recommendations for improvements.
    • Work closely with healthcare providers, researchers and community organizations to align project activities with broader healthcare initiatives.
    • Participate in team meetings and provide input on project strategies and goals.

Experience, skills and competencies  

  • Previous experience in coordinating research or healthcare projects, particularly in the field of HIV prevention or key population engagement.
  • Strong understanding of digital health technologies and their application in healthcare settings.
  • Experience with Microsoft, Excel, Access, MS SQL Server, MySQL, electronic medical record systems, and REDCap.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse communities.
  • Knowledge of ethical considerations related to working with key populations and vulnerable communities.
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Sensitivity to cultural and social issues impacting key populations in HIV care and prevention.

Educational Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, or a related field
  • Registered with the health professional council or general nursing council of Nigeria.
  • Psychosocial counselling
  • Human subject protection and good clinical practice training

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

IHVN is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.

Mode of Application:

  • Application letter and detailed Curriculum Vitae in Microsoft Word format should be forwarded to the Assistant Director, Human Resources through this email address:[email protected]
  • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • This advert closes 14 days from the date of this publication, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Data Officer – Digital Health for Key Populations in HIV Care and Prevention

Author admin Posted on

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria  (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, care, and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at the national, state, and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to provide quality health services, capacity building, and research in West Africa and beyond.

The Resilient HIV Implementation Science with Sexual & Gender Minority Youths using Evidence (RISE) study to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the HealthMpowerment (HMP) mobile health application is a new 5-year NIH-funded multi-country project from UMB in collaboration with 5 clinical research performance sites (CRPS) across four countries in sub-Saharan Africa – Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. UMB has a subcontract with IHVN being one of the two sites in Nigeria.

IHVN is seeking qualified candidates for the following position:

PositionData Officer – Digital Health for Key Populations in HIV Care and Prevention
Reports toStudy and Data Coordinator
Location: Abuja

Opening Date: 09/01/2024

Closing Date:   22/01/2024

Job Summary:

IHVN is seeking a dedicated and passionate Data Officer to join our team and play a crucial role in a groundbreaking project focused on improving HIV care and prevention among key populations through digital health interventions. The successful candidate will work closely with the healthcare providers, key population civil society organizations and Study and Data Coordinator to ensure the quality of study data. The candidate will be responsible for managing study data collection forms and databases, data entry of paper-based clinical forms into the REDCap study database, and provide trouble-shooting support for the digital health app.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the day-to-day coordination and management of study-related data and digital health app functioning at the site level.
  • Check for completeness in source documents and consistency between paper-based registers and the REDCap database.
  • Carry out daily manual data checks to verify completeness check for data errors against paper forms.
  • Extract data from participant electronic health records or tablet-based data to REDCap.
  • Ensure completeness, validity, consistency, timeliness, and accuracy of electronic health record data and/or tablet-based data.
  • Evaluate databases and check for inconsistencies, duplicates, or missing data on a weekly basis.
  • Meet monthly with the study statistician to review data and address any issues with data quality, merges, and freezes.
  • Train healthcare staff and key population participants on the use of the digital health app, with support from the Study and Data Coordinator.
  • Ensure that project activities are executed in compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations.
  • Work with the digital health app team to troubleshoot issues.
  • Collaborate with the Study and Data Coordinator and other study team members to collect, manage, and analyze project data.
  • Participate in team meetings and provide input on project data.
  • Participate in the review of standard operating procedures (SOPs) established for data management.

Experience, skills and competencies

  • Strong understanding of digital health technologies and their application in healthcare settings.
  • Experience with Microsoft, Excel, Access, MS SQL Server, MySQL, electronic medical record systems, and REDCap
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse communities.
  • Knowledge of ethical considerations related to working with key populations and vulnerable communities.
  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Sensitivity to cultural and social issues impacting key populations in HIV care and prevention.

Educational Qualification

  • Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, or a related field
  • Human subject protection and good clinical practice training

Equal employment opportunity statement

IHVN is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.

Mode of Application:

  • Application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in Microsoft Word format should be forwarded to the Assistant Director, Human Resources through this email address:[email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This advert closes 14 days from the date of this publication, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

IHVN Seeks Collaboration to Implement Nationwide Global Fund TB/HIV Project

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The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has called for collaboration to implement the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) project, a nationwide project to improve HIV and tuberculosis prevention and treatment services.

IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum, made this call at a workshop in Abuja with more than 100 stakeholders from the government, public and private sectors in attendance.

“We all need to work together to give the best services to Nigerians. As we embark on the largest Global Fund grant awarded to a local non-governmental organization, we are confident that as a unified Nigerian team, we can achieve the grant’s goals of preventing and caring for individuals with tuberculosis and HIV and ensure that no one is left behind. We believe that this goal is within our reach through strong leadership from the government at various levels, collaboration, integration, and community engagement,” he said.

Dr Dakum urged the sub-recipients of the grant to avoid duplication of services as resources are limited.

“The need for collaboration and alignment at the state and LGA levels cannot be overemphasized. The Global community is watching whether Nigeria will succeed or not. As Principal Recipient of the grant, we are committed to providing the best platform for success working under the National Guidelines,” he added.

The GC7 project is focused on ensuring early diagnosis of TB and HIV and providing comprehensive care for affected individuals. The grant which runs from January 2024 to December 2026 will increase the provision of tuberculosis services in the community and through public-private partnership.

Other objectives of the grant include expanding HIV testing for all pregnant women in communities and strengthening laboratories and supply chain management. IHVN has engaged the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), Caritas Nigeria, Damien Foundation Nigeria, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria, Leprosy & Tuberculosis Relief Initiative, Nigeria (LTR), The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN), REDAID Nigeria, and Stop TB Nigeria as sub-recipients to provide tuberculosis services. In the same vein, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi), Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Society for Family Health (SFH), and Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) will be providing comprehensive HIV care services.

A cross-section of stakeholders participating in the GC7 project workshop in Abuja.
The Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike addressing stakeholders at the workshop

Research to Reduce Breast, Cervical Cancer Deaths Kicks Off

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 According to Globocan 2020, cancer causes an estimated 78,000 deaths in Nigeria annually, with breast cancer and cervical cancer being the most common cancers among women in Nigeria. To reduce mortality from these cancers in the country, the International Research Center of Excellence of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has kicked off a five-year research project titled, Network for Oncology Research in Africa (NORA).

The project is to be implemented within a consortium made of four African countries: Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania. It will involve 35 population-based cancer registries from 25 sub-Saharan African countries.

At a kick-off meeting for the project in Abuja, NORA Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Victoria Igbinomwanhia said, “Screening for breast and cervical cancers in Nigeria is low and diagnosis is delayed, and the project will look for ways to improve that”.

The project will look at widely established benchmark indicators of adequate cancer care including screening uptake, stage at presentation, time to diagnosis, and referral to treatment. The study will examine the pattern of cancer incidence, cancer stage, cancer survival and how it changes over time. The study will look for ways to increase demand for cancer screening in rural and urban communities and means to successfully integrated cancer care in decentralized primary care settings. How can hospital-based cancer registries help trace patient journeys and support standardized treatment referrals within a resource-constrained setting for example?

“We know that currently, palliative care models for cancer care do not exist in the country. Along with caregivers and healthcare workers, we will identify interventions for adequate home and community care for cancer patients. The goal of NORA is to reduce the burden of breast and cervical cancer in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. The research also seeks to generate policy recommendations for effective cancer control strategies,” Dr. Ighinomwanhia expanded.

NORA will be using both quantitative and qualitative methods to undertake research in six health facilities and communities in FCT, Nasarawa, and Rivers States. Data from 2015 to 2026 will be used to establish findings from the research which will involve Master’s, Ph.D., and Post Doctoral students.

One of the NORA Masters students, Mrs. Gloria Harrison Osagie notes, “I’ll be looking at how we can identify and close the gaps needed to strengthen cancer registries and improve cancer data quality in Nigeria.” Mrs. Harrison Osagie, who is a cancer registrar, says that “training of cancer registrars will improve reporting on cancer stages to guide policy formulation and evidence-based programs.”

Another Master’s student, Dr. Igoche Peter commented that the multidisciplinary nature of NORA means that the project will result in different perspectives from different people on the same concept of cancer care.

“In palliative care, you are looking at how you will improve the quality of life of people diagnosed with cancer. We want to improve community palliative care in cancer in Nigeria which is a novel area in Nigeria. We cannot transplant what works elsewhere to the Nigerian setting without finding out what is suitable for our culture,” Dr Peter says.

NORA is being implemented with funding from the BMZ- the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, through the GIZ.

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