# mAnaging siCkle CELl disease through incReased AdopTion of hydroxyurEa in Nigeria (ACCELERATE)

> **NIH NIH U01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $671,166

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Large knowledge gaps remain regarding strategies to promote the adoption of hydroxyurea (HU), particularly in
sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria, where more than 75% of annual sickle cell anemia births occur.
The vast majority of people with SCD in Africa do not receive evidenced-based health care (e.g., newborn
screening, health education, prophylaxis for infection, optimal nutrition and hydration, blood transfusion,
transcranial Doppler screening, and HU therapy), despite its effectiveness in reducing SCD-related adverse
outcomes and mortality. The use of HU in SSA is <1% among SCD patients. Our preliminary findings indicate
that provider-level barriers are significant and must be addressed to improve HU adoption. To address HU
adoption we will use the NIH-funded study (e.g., Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea
(REACH) Clinical Trial (NCT01966731)) that developed an evidence-informed, clinical, practical, and easy-to-
follow algorithm to 1) Screen patients for sickle cell disease (SCD), 2) Initiate HU treatment, and 3) Maintain HU
dosage over time (SIM) for the improved management of SCD as our intervention. The Nigerian government
released guidelines supporting the SIM intervention for HU adoption for improved SCD management, and HU is
on the list of essential medicines for Nigeria. Our implementation strategy for improving SCD management in
Nigeria uses a practical and replicable evidence-based task-sharing strategy, TAsk-Strengthening Strategy for
Hemoglobinopathies (TASSH), adopted from our TAsk-Strengthening Strategy for Hypertension control
(TASSH) trials in Ghana and Nigeria containing the essential components of i) Training healthcare
workers/providers to be more patient-centered in clinical consultations, ii) Clinical reminders, and iii) Practice
facilitation (TCP) known as (TASSH TCP) for SCD management. Using a sequential exploratory mixed-methods
study design, we will conduct this study using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment
(EPIS) framework in four sequential phases to assess the effectiveness of SIM adoption by providers in the
context of the TASSH TCP implementation strategy in Nigeria.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10907044
- **Project number:** 5U01HL168084-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Obiageli Eunice Nnodu
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $671,166
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-15 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10907044

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10907044, mAnaging siCkle CELl disease through incReased AdopTion of hydroxyurEa in Nigeria (ACCELERATE) (5U01HL168084-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10907044. Licensed CC0.

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