Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH)

Launched in 2006, the Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH) is a collaborative program between the Program of African Studies, Northwestern University and the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria to produce knowledge and recommendations for the development of more effective HIV/AIDS prevention strategies in specific Nigerian communities. It aims to increase the quantity and quality of information available to policymakers, practitioners, activists, researchers, and communities on the factors driving HIV transmission, while building the capacity of Nigerian AIDS researchers.

REACH was conceived out of the realization that many ongoing prevention initiatives in Nigeria have been insufficiently informed by scientific studies and regular and systematic evaluations. In addition, the need for detailed, research-based, and systematically-presented information on the dynamics of HIV in specific Nigerian contexts has been repeatedly stated by Nigerian authorities and reflects the priorities of the country’s national HIV/AIDS strategy. Northwestern University and the University of Ibadan jointly begun implementing REACH in 2006. With a
social science-led and community-based approach unique to REACH, its scheduled activities will result in innovative and potentially transformative findings.

The Alliance began its work by conducting background research on HIV prevention issues and identifying relevant stakeholders in Nigeria. We have also begun designing a framework and methodology for the conduct of the community-level case studies by multi-disciplinary research teams. Two main approaches have been identified in conducting these community-level case studies: 1) a longitudinal study, beginning in two culturally diverse communities in Nigeria, and 2) a site survey (cross-sectional) of clinical prevention services across the country, initially beginning with 3 sites.

REACH plans to disseminate information and recommendations to relevant interveners and stakeholders in the public, NGO and donor sectors and assist them in adjusting their activities in accordance with the data and conclusions generated. Because the empowerment of Nigerians will be required to gain control of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, REACH strives throughout its operations to increase the number of well-trained scholars who are competent to conduct policy-relevant research on HIV/AIDS. As an international collaborative program, REACH aims to bolster Nigerian research capacities with the aim of having Nigerians eventually assume full control of all its operations.

Position Opening

Post Doctoral Fellow, Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH)

The Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH) is a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded project awarded to Northwestern University in January 2006 to conduct research on HIV prevention in several communities in Nigeria. The project involves collaboration with researchers in Nigeria, particularly at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. As part of this project, extensive field work including cross-sectional surveys, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key-informant interviews will be conducted to enhance understanding of the factors driving/preventing HIV infection in Nigerian communities, and of the type of prevention messages and interventions that can effectively reduce infection rates.  The overall goal of the research will be to: a) Conduct collaborative research intended to develop more effective strategies and approaches to curbing HIV transmission in Nigeria, b) increase the quantity and quality of usable information for policymakers, practitioners, activists, and communities on the factors driving HIV transmission in several Nigerian communities, and c) contribute to the design of more effective prevention strategies. REACH is distinguished by a social science-led and community-based approach.

The Post doctoral fellow, while hired by Northwestern University, will be a member of the REACH research team based in Nigeria and will work closely with the REACH team in Nigeria. The post doc will report to the REACH Associate Project Director at Northwestern University, will be based in Ibadan, and will travel to REACH field sites throughout Nigeria. There will also be opportunities to conduct individual research that coincide with REACH objectives.

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Activities

The Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH) in Nigeria is organizing a half-day colloquium titled "How Can Nigeria Reduce HIV Transmission?"  The event will take place on Friday, April 20, 2007 from 1:30-5PM at the Program of African Studies. We welcome all members of the community interested in learning more about reducing HIV transmission in Nigeria, to attend. Members of the REACH team from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and other US REACH colleagues will give short presentations on different areas of HIV prevention in Nigeria to help provide answers to the colloquium question. The colloquium will open up for discussion after these presentations. Please come with all your questions, discussion points, and stories on HIV prevention experiences you may have had either from Nigeria or other countries. We look forward to seeing you at PAS!

"How Can Nigeria Reduce HIV Transmission?"
REACH colloquium
Friday, April 20, 1-5 pm
Discussion forum open to the Northwestern community
featuring short presentations by the University of Ibadan
REACH researchers on different areas of HIV prevention in
Nigeria

Armed with money and science, NU's REACH fights AIDS in Nigeria
An article by Anne Aundlauer featured in North by Northwestern, April 25, 2007

2003 Annual HIV/AIDS Experts Forum
Report from Forum held June 10, 2003
Full Text of Keynote Address

REACH Conference
"HIV/AIDS Prevention in Nigerian Communities: Strengthening Institutional Responses"
Report from the Conference held December 9-11, 2004 at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

For more details on the REACH activities, contact REACH coordinator, Nkem Dike.