Abstract:

Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs resulting to poor performance and increased morbi-mortality. Many studies related to retention are focused on adults including pregnant women, leaving out children, especially in sub Saharan Africa. The objective of this study is to assess 12 months retention and determine factors associated with retention among children on ART. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a pediatric reference in Yaounde, Cameroon. Registers of children enrolled on antiretroviral therapy from Oct 2015 to Oct 2016 were reviewed for retention. Factors associated with retention in children were determined for future improvement.

A total of 416 children were enrolled and after 12 months follow up, 398 (90.9%) were found to be alive and still on treatment. Young age (age less than 1 year) of start on ART and CD4% were the factors associated with poor retention & attrition at 12 months after initiation.

Twelve months retention in care for children living with HIV is near optimal (90.0%) with a high chance of long term survival. Age less than 1 year and CD4% were baseline risk factors for poor retention. Given that children rely on their caregivers for optimal retention, there is need for robust prevention of mother to child transmission programs and pediatric case finding & linkage to care strategies. Quality data will help improve strategies and procedures to boost long term retention required for viral suppression needed end the HIV pandemic.

Keywords: HIV, Assessment, Retention, 12 months, Children, Cameroon.

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