Dr. Chinedu Agbakwuru Sets Global Benchmarks in HIV/AIDS Research with Historic NAIIS Survey

By Rebecca Ejifoma

In the past year, Dr. Chinedu Agbakwuru has cemented his reputation as a visionary leader in public health research through his groundbreaking work on the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).

Funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), this project was not only the largest Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) ever conducted but also a landmark achievement in global HIV research.

Dr. Agbakwuru’s role in the NAIIS project was monumental. He successfully led the field implementation of the survey, a feat that required immense coordination and meticulous planning high research acumen. Over 1,800 field workers were recruited and trained under his leadership across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The scale of the endeavor was unparalleled, with data collected in just 22 weeks by over 180 field implementation teams.

“Managing such a vast operation demanded more than technical expertise,” Dr. Agbakwuru explained. “It required building trust with stakeholders across the country, ensuring the safety of field workers, and maintaining the highest standards of data integrity across diverse settings.” Dr. Agbakwuru personally oversaw the development of more than 150 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents and manuals in less than a month; an impressive feat that set a benchmark for future large-scale surveys.

Capacity building was at the heart of the NAIIS project. Dr. Agbakwuru designed and implemented training programs for over 1,800 field workers in just three weeks. These sessions were conducted simultaneously across 12 training centers, equipping teams with the skills needed to collect high-quality data while navigating the logistical and cultural complexities of working across Nigeria.

Given the scale and scope of the NAIIS survey, safety was a top priority. Dr. Agbakwuru developed a comprehensive Security SOP that guided operations during fieldwork, minimizing risks and ensuring a fatality rate of less than 1% related to the survey. This achievement is particularly significant given the diverse and often challenging terrains covered during such large scale projects. It is important to note that this survey was also conducted in areas that were prone to terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

“Ensuring the safety of our field workers was non-negotiable,” Dr. Agbakwuru emphasized. “Their well-being was integral to the success of the survey and the accuracy of the data collected.”

Dr. Agbakwuru’s exceptional work on the NAIIS survey earned him two prestigious awards in 2022: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nigeria Special Services Award, and the Award of Excellence in Data System Design and Surveys. These accolades underscore his pivotal role in advancing global health research and his dedication to combating HIV/AIDS.

The results of the NAIIS survey were transformative, providing critical data that shape Nigeria’s HIV response strategies. The insights gained from the survey continue to inform policies and interventions aimed at identifying HIV-positive individuals and improving treatment outcomes.