1. Training community members to interprete, understand and communicate HIV prevention research results. Nigeria does not have ongoing new HIV Vaccine and Microbicide trials. However, because of its strategic HIV epidemiological profile, it is a country for prospective phase IV trials. There are ongoing plans for the conduct of HIV vaccine trials, PreP trials and rectal microbicide trials in the country in the near future with multiple scientists investing in this process.

NHVMAS as a civil society also felt obliged to continue to build the capacity of local communities to be able to participate in future trials in the country as well as engage meaningfully with ongoing international and regional efforts. In this respect, with funding support from CHAVI and in partnership with ICAD Canada SAT South Africa, human and financial resources were invested resources in developing a training curriculum that will ensure that capacity of civil society members and the media could be built to  interprete, understand and communicate HIV prevention research results.

In all, NHVMAS was able to build the capacity of 102 (60.8% were females) in this respect. This comprised of CSO representatives, the media, policy makers, health care workers and students. Five three days training were organised for groups of persons in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu and Sagamu. The group also organised trainings at the 2010 IAS conference in Austria as well as the 2011 ICASA conference. Pre and post test analysis showed that there was significant improvement in the knowledge of trainees. A post workshop assessment was conducted for trainees in Nigeria. The assessment showed that all participants (100%) made use of skills and knowledge acquired from the training.

2. Research literacy programme for gate keepers of key target populations. NHVMAS was also able to supported the training of 16 gatekeppers of key target populations in Nigeria on how to engage with research. The trainees were drawn from the MSM, IDU, sex worker and PLHIV communities. With the trainees, NHVMAS was able to preview a training manual that peer educators from the community can use to train their peers on key research concepts. This will help facilitate research literacy amongst community members. The tool was pilot tested at this training. NHVMAS plans to conduct a second pilot testing of this tool in 2012, print and disseminate the tool for use amongst populations and communities that are most likely to be engaged in HIV prevention research in Nigeria.

1. Roundtable meetings. In 2011, NHVMAS conducted 2 round table meetings. One was held to celebrate the HIV Vaccine day with 19 journalists in attendance. The other was to celebrate the World AIDs day. This was conducted in collaboration with five partners. 46 persons were in attendance. Through these roundtables, 34 journalists were reached. These journalists have continued to remain NHVMAS allies with each investing in efforts to understand more about HIV prevention research, ethics that govern the research process, as well as ensure publication on HIV prevention issues in the newspapers, and relay of HIV prevention educational messages on the electronic media. NHVMAS ensured that journalists were engaged in various trainings organised by NHVMAS throughout the year. In December 2010, it instituted a media award on NPT reporting in the newspaper. These efforts have resulted in increased reporting on HIV prevention technologies in the media.

2. Development of research literacy materials. NHVMAS also developed new NPT literacy materials in 2011. Three posters that focused on promoting public education about microbicides, HIV Vaccine and PreP were developed, printed and distributed. This is in addition to its past posters on promoting community understanding on clinical trials, and identifying fake HIV cure claimants. There are also research literacy materials that help individuals understand about the importance of research, confidentiality in research, informed consent, and payments and compensations made during research. There is also a literacy material on HIV prevention tools.

3. Building the capacity of teachers to discuss HIV prevention. As part of its social responsibility, HVMAS trained 23 teachers from Ifako LGA, Lagos state on HIV/AIDS and STI. There were efforts made at increasing their knowledge and skills at incorporating NPT information into HIV and STI education in the schools. The two days training was considered a huge success. The result of the post test did show significant increase in their understanding about HIV vaccine, microbicides and PreP. Step down training were conducted for students in four of the six schools that had teachers trained on HIV prevention. In all, over 5,909 students and teachers were reached with HIV prevention information through the dissemination exercises. NHVMAS shall continue to hold this programme annually.

4. Educational training for the public. NHVMAS currently runs six educative listservs for ethicists (520 members), researchers (1,076 members), policy makers (264 members), advocates (209 members), journalists (219 members) and community members (884 members). In the year 2011, 158 messages on HIV and NPT were posted to advocates, and over 20 NPT related messages were sent to each of the other listservs.  This was various stakeholders were kept updated about global efforts on NPT research and development. About 158 postings were made to these forum members of whicb about 20 were specifically focused on NPT. This way, NHVMAS continues to promote public knowledge updates on contemporary issues on the national and international scene.

5. Developing a community integrated workplan for 2012. NHVMAS Worked with 15 journalists, 30 IDU trainees, 56 MSMs and 46 CSOs to develop a 2012 workplan on research literacy for the respective communities. NHVMAS plans to work with these organisations to implement the identified mandates in line with the (i) plans for Lagos State HIV/AIDS control (ii) 2010 – 2012 National HIV Prevention plan (iii) plans of UNDP and LSACA with respect to HIV control amongst the MSM and FSW community (iv) 2010 – 2015 National HIV Strategic Plan (v) plans developed by the National Prevention technical working group and National HIV Research Reference Group. An integrated workplan shall be developed in January 2012

Report on the training of field workers in vulnerable communities on New HIV Prevention research literacy

A three days training was conducted for CSOs working with vulnerable communities on new HIV prevention research literacy. The programme was held on the 7th to 9th of June  2011 at NHVMAS Secretariat,  Lagos.

The workshop objective was to equip participants with basic knowledge and skills on how to understand, interpret and report  biomedical HIV prevention research with accuracy and sensitivity. In attendance were 16 field workers  from the LGBTI, IDU, FSW and PLHIV Communities.

Several modules were taken which included: why the need for research, new prevention technologies,  understanding and interpreting basic research statistics, understanding trial results, how to communicate 

HIV prevetion trial results to communities, media analysis of research reports and Community engagement payment and confidentially in research, the clinical research process etc 

It was a participatory training with the use of case studies, role plays and game to help to reinforce what participants had learnt.

Discussions and concerns were centered on MSM and anal sex, the process of obtaining approval for protocols, Pre-exposure prohylaxis, availability and utilization of the female condom amongst others.

Participants’ noted that the training was highly relevant to their needs, attendance at the workshop was good use of their time, and that they had gained a lot of new knowledge and understanding of the on the research processes.

Based on objective assessment, it was apparent that the training had made significant impact on the  knowledge of participants.. The mean score for pretest was 45.9% +13.7% while the mean score for post test was 63% + 20.8%.

Participants  also identified the following as new knowledge and skills they had gained from the training:

•    Research processes, need for the development of research protocol

•    Ethical standards and informed consent process

•    Need for research protocol  and the role of ethics committee

•    Female condom use                    

•    Better presentation skills

•    How to get communities involved in research            

•    How to advocate to people to take part in research

Comment from one of the participants “I'm already seeing myself as a future field worker, lecturing and teaching with life example to human subject about the research”

Report on the training of field workers working with communities of vulnerable persons on how to understand, interprete and report HIV research results – June 7th to 9th, 2011

A three days training was conducted for CSOs working with vulnerable communities  on HIV research literacy. The programme was held on the 7th - 9th June 2011 at NHVMAS Secretariat ,  Lagos. The workshop objective was to equip participants with basic knowledge and skills to understand, interpret and report biomedical HIV prevention research with accuracy and sensitivity. In attendance were 16 field workers from the LGBTI, IDU, FSW and PLHIV communities.

Topics discussed include research ethics, informed consent, payment and research participation, confidentiality, understanding statistics, understanding trial results, communicating trial results, and community engagement in research.

The average pretest score is 45.5% + 9.07. The lowest and highest scores were  36.4% and 63.6% respectively.  The average post-test score was 59.9% +18.7. The lowest and highest scores were 40.9% and 86.4% respectively. The difference in the pre and post rest result was statistically significant (p=0.0489). 

All the participants felt the training provided them with new insights about new HIV prevention technologies, all also felt the workshop was a good use of their time. 

Below are the comments of a few participants at the training workshop

The training was simply educative, expository and interesting – Richard Gbenga

Organised and empowering comes readily to mind when I think about the training – Okwuegbunam Eken

This training has given me powerful insight into the horizons of research literacy. I am grateful to have been part of it. Austine Afaha

It was a well spent time. I acquired knowledge about research literacy abd how I can be useful in my community – Mary  Affiong

The research literacy workshop was packaged to equip and reposition participants to be relevant in the research field. The NHVMAS message cannot be faulted. Pelemo Babatunde

The training was quite informative and useful. More organisations should be given opportunity to be equipped with the skill. Dr Dora Ofobrukweta

Training of researchers in Ebonyi State on ethics of community engagement in research – 25th to 27th May, 2011

NHVMAS conducted a three days workshop for researchers in Ebonyi University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki and its environ.  The workshop aimed at building the capacity of participants on how to ensure ethical conduct of HIV research (especially community engagement in research), care and service provision. The event was held on the 25th - 27th May 2011 in collaboration with the EBSUTH Health Ethics committee. 

Forty two participants comprising of nurses, doctors, pharmacists benefited from the programme. The workshop adopted a participatory approach including brainstorming, group discussion, slide presentations and case studies. Several plenary sessions were taken including among others, the history and evolution of ethics, informed consent, review of protocol, community engagement and how to work with vulnerable populations like FSW, MSM and IDUs.

The pretest and posttest evaluation indicated that participant knowledge improved; mean scores are 40% + 18% and 73% + 18% respectively. There is statistically significant difference in the mean score of the participants’ pre-test and post test. (P<0.001).

Workshop evaluation also indicated that participant were satisfied with the conduct and content of the programme. Most of the participants (90.5%) strongly agreed that the programme provided new insights.

The participants will be followed over the next six months to assess the use of skills and knowledge gained from the workshop.

NHVMAS hosts a Media and CSO roundtable in commemoration of the HIV vaccine day

20th May, 2011. NHVMAS secretariat

Global HIV vaccine development efforts: implications for Nigeria

AIDS continues to be a major public health priority as AIDS related illnesses remain one of the leading causes of death. Although the HIV epidemic in Nigeria is reported to be stable, the country play host to 3.3million people living with HIV/AIDS making it the second country with the largest HIV burden in the world. 

These global statistics on the HIV epidemic indicate the urgent need for continued efforts at addressing the epidemic. There are high hopes in the discoveries of new technologies that will lead to more effective tools in the control of the epidemic. Resent events in the field of HIV prevention technologies indicates hope that the HIV epidemic can be controlled. Subsequently, expectations are high that HIV prevention methodologies will expand beyond the existing prevention options of abstinence, been faithful to one partner(s)  condom use, male circumcision and prevention of mother to child transmission. These mean more researches, including HIV vaccine research.

In the light of this, there is need for advocacy to promotr HIV vaccine research and development. The roundtable provided a platform for dialogue and discussion on how to further strengthen the national HIV vaccine advocacy efforts in Nigeria. 

Three presentations were during the roundtable discussion namely:

• Global HIV Vaccine Development Efforts: Implications for Nigeria. The preseantation by Ms Florita Durueke highlighted global efforts and challenges to developing a HIV vaccine. The session also enumerated the challenges for Nigeria if it does not engage in the HIV Vaccine research process. It also highlighted current efforts by IHVN for future HIV vaccine research.  

• Community Engagement with HIV Vaccine Development: The presentation by Ms Aisha Adaranijo identified the role of the community in advocacy and engaging in HIV vaccine research. She also highlighted NHVMAS efforts to date at building local capacity to understand the issues involved with biomedical HIV prevention research.

• The Place of the Media in HIV Vaccine Research Advocacy. Mr Kingsley Obom-Egbulem enumerated the numerous roles of the media on setting the agenda for HIV research. He identified the barriers and challenges for the media to play this role adequately. He concluded by challenging journalists to ask the hard questions about HIV research. 

At the end of the meeting, a call for action was placed to both the media and the CSO. Journalists were encouraged to build their capacity so as to be able to ctively engage in HIV research processes. They need to become research literate to be able to package HIV research news with human angles. CSOs on the other hand need to do more work at reaching out to the grassroot to help them understand about new HIV prevention tools. 

The 23 participants in attendance did conclude that the media and CSOs are very critical in promoting advocacy for HIV vaccine research and other biomedical HIV prevention technology research. Investing in their capacity development will add value to stepping up advocacy, awareness and education on NPT among the Nigerian communities.

NHVMAS builds the capacity of 28 members of the CSOs working with research sites in Abuja on how to interprete and communicate NPT research results – 22nd to 24th April 2011

A three days training was organised for 28 persons from research organisations working with communities. These included six representatives from  Government Agencies, two Students, two Media practitioners, four Researchers and 12 members from NGOs.  The objectives of the training were to (i) Increase the capacity of media representatives to report on NPT trials with accuracy and sensitivity (ii) Raise skills amongst community-based organizations to critically analyze media discourse about HIV prevention trials and (iii) Increase the capacity of community representatives to understand and communicate NPT trial results effectively. Participants were taken through 8 modules which updated knowledge on HIV prevention tools and biomedical HIV prevention technology, clinical trial processes, research ethics, how to interprete research result and how to communicate same to specific communities. In addition, participants were asked to analyse media reports and evaluate the accuracy of the contents of the reports.

Participants comments about the training was very positive with all participants acknowledging that they had acquired new knowledge. There was a significant difference in the pretest and post test score (60% vs 61.7%). The pretest scores ranged between 25% and 100% while the post test score ranged between 20% and 95%. Four persons scoring below 50% in the post test while three persons scored less than 50% in the pre test. Certificate of attendance were award only to those that attended for the entire 3 days. Others will take a  4 weeks online training starting from the 6th of September, 2010 to be able to pick up their certificate of attendance.  The online training has since commenced.

At the end of the training, (i) Participants capacity on NPTs and interpretation of trail result was built (ii) Participants promised to step down the training programme in their organization and communities with colleagues, friends and family (iii) Capacity of participants in community messaging was built, participants promised to reflect this new knowledge in their write ups and communication in communities (iv) Participant’s knowledge on ethics of research was greatly improved with many persons on ethic boards promising to reflect this knowledge in handling ethics related issues in their communities (v) Media reporting of the training was promised by the two media representatives who were at the training. Details will be obtained (vi) A few participants wanted follow up trainings

NHVMAS builds the capacity of 25 CSOs, and 2 journalists in Kaduna on how to interprete and communicate NPT research results – 12th to 14th of April, 2011

A  threes days training workshop on interpreting and communicating trials results for NPT was held in for 27 persons. In Kaduna.  Participants were taken through the same modules and topics highlighted in previous trainings. 

The majority of the participants were learning about NPT for the first time. The training was thought provoking for them and it generated a lot of curious questions such as the possible effect of microbicides on oral mucosa for those who engage in oral sex.

All the participants noted that they learnt new things for at the training. As high as 40% of the participants were seeing the female condom for the first time. Most of the participants were hearing about biomedical HIV prevention technology for the first time also.

NHVMAS realises that there is much effort that needs to be invested in community literacy about biomedical HIV prevention technology. With new and evolving evidences about HIV prevention, still having major players in the field just learning about Male circumcision and Female condoms as HIV prevention tools is not acceptable.

NHVMAS, in its efforts to drive NPTs visibility and reporting, initiated an award on best reporting on New HIV Prevention Technology in the print media. This was done in collaboration with JAAIDS. The award was given at the 10th edition of the Red Ribbon Award Night which held on the 5th of December 2010.
For the best reporting on NPT the winner is Mr. KAYODE ODUMBONI, of the Nations Newspaper and the runner up is Ms. OLAYINKA LATONA of the Vanguard Newspaper.
These two awardees are young and have both benefited from NHVMAS organised capacity building trainings. They were awarded  a plaque and cash prizes.
The aim of the award is to encourage journalists to better understand and report more on New Prevention Technologies (NPTs). Entries are critically assessed for quality of content and issue based reporting.
The 2011 edition will be open to both the print and electronic media.