Abstract

INCIDENCE OF HIV-1 IN VERTICALLY INFECTED CHILDREN TESTED AT VCTC OF GOVT. GOVERNMENT GENERAL HOSPITAL, KRISHNA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Naladi Baratha Jyothi, Pothula V. V. Satish, Kochara Suresh Babu, Kanikaram Sunita*

Abstract

More than 1,000 children are newly infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) every day because of lack of access to HIV treatment and millions of children every year are indirectly affected by the epidemic according to UNAIDS. The present communication deals with the objective of revealing sociodemographic characteristics, family history and the mode of transmission of HIV children at VCTC (Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center) of Govt. General Hospital, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a retrospective cross – sectional record based study from April 2012 to April 2015. Out of 2755 attendees of VCTC, 95 (3%) children were HIV Positive. Of whom 49 (52%) subjects were males and 46 (48%) subjects were females (age, 1-20 years). High incidence of HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was found in the age group of 11-15 years with 48 (51%) subjects. Out of 95 children, 88 (93%) children became HIV positive through their HIV positive mothers at the time of their births i.e., through mother to child transmission (MTCT), 6 (6%) children through heterosexual partner and one child through blood transfusion. Appropriate testing, efficient linkages to care and treatment and support for the families and communities that provide the material, social and emotional foundation for a child’s development is needed. In the present study, 75% of the children had HIV positive parents who were already died. 6% of the children have HIV positive parents who are still living. 2% of the children had HIV negative parents who are alive. 4% of the children, parents were not HIV positive and died naturally. 5% children have father HIV positive died and mother HIV positive still living; and rest of the 8% children have father HIV negative alive and mother positive alive. In the present study, 54% children have no siblings, 28% of the children have HIV positive siblings 18% of the children have HIV negative siblings. But out of 95 children, 11 (12%) children died due to HIV infection during the study period. Among these 11 children, 4 are of male and 7 are of female children.

Keywords: HIV incidence, mode of transmission, family history, siblings’ status, mortality.