Target audience

A total of 13 sites were selected (7 APIN-supported sites and 6 non-APIN sites). Training facilitators as well as “champions” were selected from each site before training in order to encourage greater site-ownership of the trainings. The primary targets of trainings were HIV clinic doctors, infectious disease clinicians, clinical microbiologists, intensivists, pediatricians and staff from other cadres which deal with immunocompromised patients on a routine basis. Other HCP cadres targeted included laboratory scientists, nurses, counselors, and pharmacists. They all had basic professional qualifications (for example, Registered Nurse) or bachelor’s degree in their fields while some also had higher qualifications, including master’s degree, PhD and professional fellowship (Medical Consultants). A total of at least 32 clinicians per site were requested to attend the training. Multiple FGD groups of eight HCPs each were created at each site. FGD participants were chosen systematically by random number selection at the end of the training. Moderators were responsible for leading the FGD (tasks included posing questions, stimulating discussion as needed, and giving suggestions to the focus group); moderators were also tasked with summarizing the key issues discussed and then presenting these issues to the full class at the end of the FGD. The main goal of the FGDs was to highlight challenges with diagnosis and treatment of CM in the Nigerian setting, identify gaps, and offer potential solutions going forward. Continuous Medical Education (CME) points were awarded at the end of training.

Two pack of test kits were left for each site so that CrAg screening for the ‘at risk’ population commenced immediately.