THE SPECTRUM OF HIV-INFECTED CHILDREN IN FOUR HOSPITALS IN THE BAMENDA MUNICIPALITY, CAMEROON.

Abstract

Introduction: According to World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, 39.9 million people were living with HIV globally. Children are not exempted, with an estimated 1.4 million children (0–14 years) living with HIV. The main problem with pediatric HIV remains the inadequate prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) despite being largely preventable. Inappropriate management of HIV in children will lead to an increase mortality and morbidity.

Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 15 years duration from 2010 to 2024 in children from ages 6weeks to 15 years at Bamenda Regional Hospital (BRH), Nkwen District Hospital (NDH), Saint Mary Soledad Catholic Hospital and Nkwen Baptist Hospital. Data was collected using pre-designed questionnaires designed for the study. Data collected was
entered to a computer and analyzed with statistical software.
Results: A total of 378 les were retrieved. Children were predominantly between the ages of 1-3 years (45.0%), with a female predominance of 55.8%, mother- to -child transmission was the principal mode of transmission (93.1%).
The proportion of children living with HIV with respect to the total number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at the day care centre was at 2.7%. The most common clinical manifestations were cough (19.6%) and fever (13.0%). Majority of the children were regular on antiretroviral treatment (69.6%), 2.9% were lost to follow up,, 6.9% defaulted and 18.0% were transferred-out to other treatment centers. The mortality rate was 2.6%.
Conclusion: HIV in children remains a public health concern accounting for 2.7% of the total number of people living with HIV, with cough and fever being the most common clinical features. Majority of these children were stable on treatment. The overall mortality in our study was 2.6%.