ABSTRACT
Background: Antiretroviral therapy is associated with improved survival among HIV-infected children. In Nigeria, HIV treatment scale up was extended to children over a decade ago. This poses new challenges of sustained quality care. Aim: To determine the outcomes for HIV infected children and factors that influenced retention in care at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu.Methods: This was a study of HIV-infected children seen between September 2004 and October 2015 and at the Paediatric HIV clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu. Data collected include socio-demographics, HAART regimen and outcomes. Data analysis were done with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19 (Chicago IL).Results: Five hundred and nineteen of 555 enrolled children with complete data were included in the data analysis. Two hundred and sixty-seven (51.4%) were females. Three hundred and thirty-nine participants (65.3%) were still in care, 12345 (23.7%) had been lost to follow up, or 22 (4.2%) dead while 35 (6.87%) were transferred out to other health facilities or into the adult ART clinic. Factors associated with retention in care were both parents being HIV positive (p<0.0001), commencement of HAART (p<0.0001) and HIV disclosure status of the child (Fisher's exact Test =0.003).Conclusions: About a quarter of our HIV-infected children were lost to follow up. Prompt initiation of HAART and HIV disclosure will positively influence retention in care
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care , HIV Infections , Hospitals, Teaching , Nigeria , Pediatrics , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are major public health challenges in the developing world especially sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C virus infection among children infected with HIV. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Paediatric HIV Clinic, UNTH, Enugu between July and December 2009. Antibodies to HCV were analyzed by newer generation rapid chromatographic immunoassay method using the Chromatest one step HCV test kit. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 statistical software. The chi squared test was used to test for significant association of categorical variables. A p-value of <0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: One hundred and eighteen children HIV-infected children, aged between eighteen months to fifteen years were included in the data analysis. Eight of the HIV infected subjects were positive for HCV, giving an HIV-HCV co-infection prevalence of 6.8%. Co-infection was more prevalent among males and in those in age group 11-15 years. Blood transfusion, irrespective of frequency (p<0.015), and injections for immunization (p<0.049) were the significant risk factors noted Conclusion: There is need for strengthening of existing preventive strategies against HCV and HIV infections such as screening of donor blood and safe injection practices in our locality