Implementation of blanket provider-initiated testing and counselling: Predictors of HIV seropositivity among infants, children and adolescents in Cameroon

The number needed to test (NNT) to identify a child infected with HIV remains high in the context of the implementation of the blanket provider-initiated testing and counselling (bPITC) strategy. This study assessed the predictors of HIV seropositivity among outpatient children/adolescents (6 weeks-...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Public health in practice (Oxford, England) Vol. 1; p. 100025
Main Authors:	Yumo, H.A., Nsame, D.N., Kuwoh, P.B., Njabon, M.B., Sieleunou, I., Ndenkeh, J.J.N., Tene, G., Memiah, P., Kuaban, C., Beissner, M.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2020 Elsevier
Subjects:	Adolescents Children Highly active antiretroviral therapy HIV HIV seropositivity Original Research PITC Testing Highly active antiretroviral therapy HIV Children Adolescents PITC HIV seropositivity Testing
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	The number needed to test (NNT) to identify a child infected with HIV remains high in the context of the implementation of the blanket provider-initiated testing and counselling (bPITC) strategy. This study assessed the predictors of HIV seropositivity among outpatient children/adolescents (6 weeks-19 years) in Cameroon. This information is needed to improve the yield of bPITC and reduce the current gap in pediatric and adolescent ART coverage in this country and beyond. Cross-sectional study conducted in 3 hospitals in Cameroon. Through biological parents and guardians we systematically invited children and adolescents visiting the outpatient departments for any reason to test for HIV (bPITC) in a 6-month period. Children and adolescents were tested for HIV following the national guidelines and the predictors of HIV seropositivity were assessed using multivariate logistic regression at 5% significant level. A total of 2729 eligible children/adolescents were enrolled. Among these, 90.3% (2465/2729) were tested for HIV. Out of these, 1.6% (40/2465) tested HIV-positive, corresponding to a NNT of 62. In multivariate analysis, HIV seropositivity was 2.5, 3.3, and 5 times more likely to be reported among children/adolescents of the female sex [aOR = 0.4 (0.2–0.8), p = 0.008]; whose fathers had no formal school education [aOR = 0.3 (0.1–0.6), p = 0.004] and those whose mothers had died [aOR = 0.2 (0.0–0.9), p = 0.041], respectively. Focusing HIV testing among female children/adolescents, whose fathers had no education level and whose mothers had died could reduce the NNT, improve the yield of bPITC and increase the pediatric and adolescent ART coverage. •Methods to increase the yield of PITC remain unclear.•HIV seropositivity predictors could improve PITC yield.•Identifying HIV seropositivity predictors among children and adolescents.•Targeted HIV testing to improve PITC yield in HIV high burden countries.•HIV seropositivity predictors could reduce gap in pediatric and adolescent ART.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	2666-5352 2666-5352
DOI:	10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100025