Disparities in HIV/AIDS progression rates among children: a case of Uganda

Francis Ssebiryo Exavious, Center for Nutrition Education and Technology (CeNET), Uganda

The chronic nature of HIV/AIDS requires much resources in its management, yet knowledge on the rate of HIV infection transition from one stage to another is scanty. This study estimates HIV infection progression and its co-factors among children to inform intervention for universal and equitable access to ART. I analysed data from 136 months retrospective follow-up of 59 children aged 0-15 using hazard model. Results indicates that children contributed 5,108 person months on HIV infection lifecourse of which 55% is lived with asymptomatic stage. There is increasingly short expectation of life and great probability of HIV infection progression once a child progresses from asymptomatic stage. HIV infection progression disparities stems from age at initiation of treatment, caregivers, father’s survival. Therefore, to optimize survival time on HIV infection lifecourse, HIV/AIDS care and treatment should strive to maintain HIV infection within asymptomatic levels yet initiating treatment on the earliest time possible.