Sociodemographic characteristics of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients in Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 2.5 million children below 15 years are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with 90% in sub-Saharan Africa. The Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki has been a treatment center for HIV since 2006. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics of pediatric HIV-positive patients seen at this facility. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study carried out from January to July 2014 of all HIV-positive children aged 0–18 years. The sociodemographic and anthropometric indices were obtained from the patients and/or their accompanying caregiver. Results: There were 89 children (mean age 7.12 ± 4.10 years; range 2–16 years), of which, 54 (60.7%) were male and 35 (39.3%) were female, with a male:female ratio of 1.5:1. Fifty-two children (58.4%) belonged to the lower socioeconomic class by Olusanya, of which, 25 (28.1%) orphans, 15 (16.9%) had stopped schooling whereas 66 (74.2%) were fully immunized according to National Programme on Immunization schedule. Maternal HIV-status was positive in 87 (97.8%) of the children whereas 33 (37.1%) of their fathers were HIV-positive. Paternal HIV-status was unknown in 32 (36.0%). Orphans were more likely to drop out of school. Conclusion: Most children with HIV are from parents of low socioeconomic status while a good number have been orphaned by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Vertical transmission was the means of acquiring the infection in most cases. Reinforcement of services for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is therefore recommended.