Breaking barriers: differential service deliveries for community HIV/AIDS services action and response in Northern Nigeria

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) reported alarmingly increase daily, and poses threat to epidemic control globally. A significant number of these new cases (up to 70%) is being accounted for by the Key Population (KP). However, stigma and discrimination in our conventional healthcare systems lead to poor access to treatment among these populations. The current study reviews some of the healthcare models implemented for KP HIV program. A retrospective data review of KP patients accessing care using the One Stop Shop (OSS) and Community Clinical Service Assistant Points (CCSAPs) models for HIV care in Zamfara State, Nigeria (May 2022 to May 2023). Important patient data were extracted, analysed and explored in frequency and percentage. Pearson’s chi-square and fisher exact test were also used. Of the 4043 patients, 3737 patients with known viral load were used, CCSAPs had (77.8%) patients and OSS (22.2%). The majority were females (60.7%). The ages were between 25 and 34 years of ages (42.9%). The patients had a mean weight of 58.15Kg. Overal retention to care was (98.6%) with suppression rate of (99.4%), with CCSAPs (99.6%) suppression rate and OSS (99.0%) suppression. Both the CCSAPs and OSS models demonstrated a high rate of viral load suppression and retention in care for KP.The CCSAPs particularly excelled in viral suppression rates and patient retention. More HIV programs need to adopt these service delivery to improve access to care and sustain the progress for epidemic control.