Prevalence and Public Health Significance of HIV Infection among Children Receiving Medical Care in Paediatric Emergency Unit of Federal Medical Center, Keffi
Keywords:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, prevalence, pediatric, transmission, mother-to-child, healthcare, preventionAbstract
HIV infection is a health concern among children in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where vertical transmission and limited healthcare access hinder prevention efforts. Only 34% of children with HIV in Nigeria receive antiretroviral therapy, and many are diagnosed late. The Pediatric Emergency Unit at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi treats children with HIV-related conditions, but pediatric HIV prevalence in this setting is understudied. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HIV among 317 children (0-15 years) in the Pediatric Emergency Unit at FMC Keffi from March-August 2024, using random sampling, questionnaires, and medical records, analyzed with SPSS. The study population consisted of 317 children aged 0-15 years, with 36.9% in the 2-5 years age range and a relatively balanced gender distribution (51.7% males, 48.3% females). The age distribution indicates that young children are disproportionately represented. The study found an overall HIV prevalence of 6% (19/317), with the 6-10 years age group having the highest prevalence (7.8%) and young children (0-1 years) having a relatively low prevalence (4.8%). HIV prevalence was nearly equal among males (6.1%) and females (5.9%). The study examined the relationship between HIV status and demographic variables, finding no significant association between HIV status and age group (χ²=1.229, p=0.743) or gender (χ²=0.213, p=0.678). The study revealed varying HIV prevalence rates among age groups, with the 6-10 years group having the highest rate. Mother-to-child transmission was the primary risk factor, affecting 78.9% of HIV-positive cases. Parental HIV status was significant, with 68.4% of HIV-positive individuals having an HIV-positive mother and 42.1% having an HIV-positive father. The findings showed relatively equal HIV prevalence across genders and highlighted how parental occupation, health status, and healthcare access impact children's HIV risk. To combat HIV among children, the study recommends preventing mother-to-child transmission through antenatal care and community outreach, implementing routine HIV screening for families with known HIV-positive members, and enhancing HIV surveillance, data collection, and healthcare worker training for safe blood transfusions and optimal care.