Trends of HIV infection in infants tested at the National HIV Reference Laboratory of Ethiopia using DNA PCR technique

Abstract

Introduction: Disease progression in children who acquire HIV infection from their mothers is more rapid in Africa including Ethiopia than in developed countries.

Objective: This study was aimed to examine the magnitude and trends of HIV infection in infants born from HIV seropositive mothers and tested by DNA PCR technique.

Methods: Retrospective data of Ethiopian Public Health Institute National HIV Reference Laboratory from 2012 to 2016 were utilized. All the available 5,062 data of infants and children under two years were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings.

Results: Among the total of 5,062 infants and children less than 2 years tested,   256 (5.1%) were HIV infected.  Improvement was observed in the trends of HIV infection in infants from year to year as follows;   in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, HIV infected infants were 10.9%, 4.6%, 3.8%, 4.8% and 4.0%, respectively.

Conclusion: In this study, the average positivity rate of HIV infection in infants and children less than 2 years was decreasing by half within five years period. Although the trend of infection indicated improvement from year to year, the finding is far from the target which required to be achieved (<1%). To address other determinants, further prospective study should be conducted for program direction and to enhance intervention strategy.