TITLE:
HIV Infection among Under-Five Malnourished Children in Kano State
AUTHORS:
A. Sudawa, A. A. Ahmad, S. Adeleke, L. Umar, L. D. Rogo
KEYWORDS:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus; Protein Energy Malnutrition; Children; Oral Candidiasis; Lymphadenopathy
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of AIDS,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
23,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Objective: Human
Immunodeficiency Viral infection and Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) are
highly prevalent in Nigeria and when they occur together, the outcome is
usually severe as both conditions lead to immune suppression. HIV alone
accounts for 14.0% of childhood mortality even though children constitute only
6% of global HIV infection burden. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among
malnourished children below 5 years in Kano State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 400 malnourished
children were randomly selected and tested for the presence of HIV I & II
using parallel ELISA rapid test kits, Stat park and Determine (both immunochromatographic
techniques). Findings: Thirty-one
samples were found to be positive to HIV 1 giving a prevalence of 7.8%. There
was no statistically significant difference between sexes when male to female ratio was 1:1.3 and peak age of presentation
was 2 -3 years. Sixty-four percent (64.0%) were presented with severe form of HIV
infection (stage 4) according to WHO paediatric HIV clinical stage and about
half of them came with marasmus by the Wellcome classification of malnutrition.
There was no significant association between the type of malnutrition and the
severity of HIV infection at present, (p value > 0.05). The commonest signs and symptoms were oral
candidiasis (67.7%), lymphadenopathy (44.0%), fever (64.5%) and cough (54.8%).
Sixty-four
percent of the children were from polygamous families. There was a significant
statistical correlation between polygamy and incidence of HIV infection, (p 0.01). Only 45.0% of the women were
aware of their HIV status prior to this study. Seventy-four percent (74.0%) of those who were
aware of their status had no knowledge of the prevention of mother to child
transmission (PMTCT) services and even for those who were aware, none of them accessed the care. Conclusion: A population based HIV
screening is therefore recommended while perinatal HIV screening and PMTCT
services need to be expanded.