Kanda Pongsilp. A comparative study of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected children before and after antiretrovial therapy. Master's Degree(Epidemiology). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2009.
A comparative study of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected children before and after antiretrovial therapy
Abstract:
The study aimed to compare opportunistic infections (OI) and CD4 cell
percentage, and to define socioeconomic factors associated with opportunistic
infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children before and after
receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The retrospective cohort study design was
employed. The sample consisted of 88 HIV-infected children under 15 years of age
who were hospitalized at the infectious diseases ward, Siriraj hospital, and started
receiving ART between 1 January, 2000 and 31 December, 2007. The data was
abstracted from medical records. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics
and analytical statistics. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic data and the
determining biological factor (CD4 cell percentage), and analytical statistics by means
of chi-square, McNemar test, Kaplan-Meier method, and multiple logistic regression
analysis were used for investigating association and comparisons of determining
biological factors, socioeconomic factors, and OI.
The results show the mean age at initiation of ART distribution was 5.31±
3.98 years; most of these children started highly active antiretroviral therapy
(HAART) (72.73%). The median follow-up time was 4.6 years. The hospitalization
rate decreased from 90.9% before ART initiation to 27.3% after ART (p < .001). The
rate of opportunistic infection decreased from 63.6% before ART initiation to 14.8%
after ART (p < .001). The median CD4 percentage increased from 6.2% before ART
initiation to 21.3% in the first 12 months after ART. The most significant risk factor
for OI before and after ART initiation was low caregivers income.
This study found that the hospitalization and opportunistic infection rates
significantly decreased among HIV-infected children receiving HAART and
correlated with an increase in CD4 percentage. The effectiveness of HAART was high
in this group of children. Therefore, HAART should be provided to HIV-infected
children when they need treatment.