PREVALENT OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV-POSITIVE CHILDREN AGED 0-5 YEARS IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI (NAUTH), ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Children are
at the centre of the HIV epidemic, and the need to prioritize actions to reduce
HIV infection among young people has now been globally recognized.

Because
HIV-infected women co-infected with opportunistic pathogens might be more
likely to transmit these infections to their infants than women without HIV
infection, this study is being conducted to determine if guidelines for
treating opportunistic pathogens among children should consider treatment of
congenitally acquired infections among both HIV-exposed,  uninfected children and those with HIV
infection.

Aim: To ascertain the
prevalent opportunistic infections associated with HIV positive children 0-5
years that attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital,
Nnewi (NAUTH), and Anambra State, Nigeriain order to prioritize actions to
reduce HIV epidemic among children.

Method:   The research method employed in this study is the survey
research. This is because it facilitates the collection of information or data
about the population under study in a uniform and reliable manner. Data were collected using an Hospital 
based cross-sectional survey of HIV positive children between 0-5 years
that attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH), Anambra
State, Nigeriabetween
November and December, 2014.

A total of 500 HIV positive children   between 0-5 years were examined in this
study. They were grouped into less than 1 year and 1-5 years based on Centres
for Disease Control (CDC)
classification system. 200 children were under 1 year and 300 were 1-5 years.

The CD4 cell count and
percentage of the HIV positive children were analyzed by flow cytometry (Partec
Cyflow Counter) made in Germany. The results obtained were recorded appropriately
and was then categorized based on CDC classification system.

The overall results showed that malaria
infection recorded the highest prevalence with 61.10% in less than 1 year and
66.37% in 1-5 years. This was followed by Oral Candidiasis 38.07% in less than
1 year and 50% in 1-5 years. Bacteraemia had 23.40% and 30.60% in less than 1
year and 1-5 years respectively. Diarrhoea, 14.22% in less than 1 year and
17.66% in 1-5 years. Otitis media had 10.55% and 10.95% in less than 1 year and
1-5 years respectively.

Similarly, 100 apparently healthy
HIV-negative children within the same age group were evaluated for the presence
of these infections. There was a statistical significance between opportunistic
infections and HIV infection (P < 0.001).

Ethical
issues have been considered all through this study with clearances gotten from
the facility managers of NAUTH. A written consent was signed by the parents of
the participants and issues related to anonymity and confidentiality was
maintained throughout the study.

Keywords: Classification System, Malaria, Oral
Candidiasis, Bacteraemia, Diarrhoea, Otitis Media