TITLE:
Pediatric HIV Infection in Togo: Situation of Child Care in the Central Region from 2008 to 2015
AUTHORS:
F. Agbeko, T. Guedehoussou, K. D. Azoumah, O. E. Takassi, M. Fiawoo, K. A. R. Segbedji, O. B. Tchagbele, M. Kpegouni, K. Tongon, K. E. Djadou, D. Y. Atakouma, A. D. Agbere
KEYWORDS:
HIV, AIDS, ART, Children, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of AIDS,
Vol.7 No.4,
December
22,
2017
ABSTRACT:
This piece of work covers thirteen (13) AIDS assistance programs sites over
the period 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2015. The study is retrospective,
descriptive, and cross-sectional based on 292 clinical cases of HIV infected
children aged between 0 and 14 years old. A regional committee was charged
to validate antiretroviral treatment (ART) prescriptions on a weekly basis. We
have also used data from the regional committee register. HIV infected children
represent 5.1% of casework on ART. The average starting age for ART was
4.5 years (1 - 180 months) with a sex ratio (Male/Female) of 0.9. The clinical
classifications according to WHO guidelines were: Stage III (52.3%) and Stage
IV (20.3%). The most frequent opportunistic infections were: wasting
(40.12%), digestive candida infection (29.0%), acute respiratory infections
(22.8%) and skin diseases (17.9%). The HIV type 1 was detected on all of the
children (100%). The average rate of CD4 at the beginning of the ART was
552.98 cells/mm3, leading to a severe immuno-suppression in many cases
(44.8%). The initial ART was essentially NEVIRAPINE + LAMIVUDINE +
STAVUDINE. HIV infections diagnosis are usually late in the Central Region
of Togo and will therefore be improved by the UNAIDS 90-90-90 strategic
plan by 2020, through various initiatives. These are: the Prevention of Mother
to Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT), the Early Infection Diagnosis (EID)
based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the Provider Initiated Testing
and Counseling (PITC).