Nwaokoro P, Sanwo O, Toyo O, et al.
Achieving HIV epidemic control requires integrated community and facility-based strategies for case finding, linkage, and retention. This study examines lessons learned from an ART-surge program implemented in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, analyzing clients who received HIV counseling and testing, tested positive, and initiated antiretroviral therapy between April 2017 and March 2021. Of 2,018,082 people tested for HIV, 102,165 (5.1%) tested positive, with increases in both testing volume and positive identification comparing pre-surge and post-surge periods. Of newly identified positive cases during the surge, 98.26% were linked to antiretroviral therapy, retention improved from 83.3% to 92.3%, and viral suppression improved from 73.5% to 96.2%. The authors conclude that combined community and facility-based interventions facilitated rapid case finding, retention, and viral suppression, advancing the state toward HIV epidemic control.
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