A community-based HIV intervention implemented by the Centre for Initiative Development (CFID), with support from ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action programme, has recorded significant gains in HIV testing, treatment retention, and viral suppression among children, adolescents and caregivers in parts of Taraba State.
The project, titled: “Closing the gap in retention in HIV care among children living with HIV and their caregivers in the state,” was carried out in Karim-Lamido, Sardauna, and Ussa Local Government Areas, reaching 14 hard-to-reach communities including Jen, Bambuka, Gembu, Nguroje, Lissam, and Kwambai.
The organisation’s final project report for 2025 revealed that 9,000 people were reached and tested for HIV during the project period.
The intervention focused on children aged 0–14 years, adolescents and young people aged 15–24 years, as well as caregivers.
Out of those tested, 233 individuals were identified as HIV-positive and successfully linked to treatment and care services.
Project data showed that 143 clients were retained in care, representing a retention rate of 86 per cent.
Among clients with valid viral load results, 94.7 percent achieved viral suppression, a key indicator of effective HIV treatment and reduced risk of transmission.
CFID attributed the outcomes to a strategy that brought HIV services closer to communities and ensured they were delivered in a supportive and stigma-free environment.
“This project demonstrates that when HIV services are community-driven and non-discriminatory, people are more willing to test, commence treatment, and remain in care,” the report indicated.
To achieve these results, the CFID adopted a multi-pronged approach that included community mapping, advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders, capacity building, and active case finding through home-based testing and community outreaches.
Community volunteers also conducted home visits to provide adherence counselling, deliver antiretroviral drugs to clients who missed appointments, collect viral load samples, and offer psychosocial and mental health support.
The project further introduced nurse-led community clinics for stable and non-complicated paediatric cases, reducing waiting times at health facilities and easing pressure on doctors.
Nationally approved monitoring and evaluation tools and job aids were also provided to health workers and volunteers to strengthen data quality and service delivery.
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In total, 76 service providers, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, community health extension workers, and community volunteers, many of whom are people living with HIV, were trained to deliver confidential, youth-friendly, and stigma-free HIV services.
The intervention addressed persistent challenges in the state, including myths and misconceptions about HIV, fear of testing, stigma and discrimination, poor attitudes among some health workers, reliance on traditional medicine, and religious beliefs that discourage treatment adherence.
To remove structural barriers to care, CFID provided transport support to newly diagnosed clients, enabling them to access health facilities for treatment initiation and follow-up.
This, the report noted, significantly improved linkage to care and adherence.
Beyond clinical outcomes, the programme recorded broader social impact, with increased community awareness, reduced stigma and higher rates of voluntary testing.
Adolescents reportedly gained confidence and adopted healthier behaviours, while caregivers became more supportive of treatment for themselves and their children.
Health systems in the target local government areas were also strengthened through improved referral and follow-up mechanisms, as well as closer collaboration with the Taraba State Agency for the Control of AIDS (TACA), local AIDS control agencies, primary health centres, and community-based support groups.
With an HIV prevalence rate of 2.6 percent reported in the project areas and high levels of viral suppression achieved, CFID said the intervention has contributed to reducing community-level transmission and improving the quality of life of people living with HIV.
The organisation added that lessons from the project highlight the importance of community ownership, differentiated service delivery, and sustained partnerships in achieving long-term HIV epidemic control in Taraba State and beyond.
