Background. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that ~1 770 000 adolescents were living with HIV infection in 2017, of whom >80% were in sub-Saharan Africa. In Malawi, ~25 000 boys and 46 000 girls are infected with HIV. Objective. The present study aimed to evaluate a specific adolescent-friendly service implemented in a Diseases Relief through Excellence and Advanced Means (DREAM) health centre in Malawi. Methods. All HIV-positive patients aged 10-19 years in the care of the DREAM centre in Blantyre on 17 December 2016 were included in the study and followed-up until 1 January 2018. The service was organised for one adult-free day, with some side activities managed by a co-ordinator and youth leaders. Assessments were performed at the end of the period (EOP). Results. On 17 December 2016, 425 patients were enrolled in the study. Follow-up status at EOP was 403 (94.8%) patients in care, 7 (1.6%) lost to follow-up (LTFU), 2 (0.5%) died and 13 (3.1%) were transferred to other facilities. Death and LTFU rates were 0.72/100 and 2.9/100 person-years, respectively. Moreover, 50.6% (n=198/391) of patients had an improvement in body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores, and 70.2% (n=33/47) of patients who were malnourished at baseline improved (higher improvement in older patients). Mean (standard deviation (SD)) haemoglobin levels increased from 12.5 (1.5) mg/dL to 13.1 (1.9) mg/dL (significance level p=0.000). At the EOP, 79.0% (n=309/391) of patients had viral suppression. Conclusion. Care of adolescent HIV+ patients remains a challenge, but the implementation of specific projects involving adolescents and youth leaders can increase adherence and improve viral suppression.

Ciccacci, F., Orlando, S., Sagno, J.b., Kamponda, M., Gondwe, J., Lunghi, R., et al. (2020). Evaluation of nutritional conditions, haemoglobin levels, retention in care and viral suppression in a cohort of HIV-infected malawian adolescents undergoing a one-year tailored intervention within the diseases relief through excellence and advanced means programme. THE SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CHILD HEALTH, 14(4), 228-232 [10.7196/SAJCH.2020.v14i4.01751].

Evaluation of nutritional conditions, haemoglobin levels, retention in care and viral suppression in a cohort of HIV-infected malawian adolescents undergoing a one-year tailored intervention within the diseases relief through excellence and advanced means programme

Orlando S.;Palombi L.
2020-01-01

Abstract

Background. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that ~1 770 000 adolescents were living with HIV infection in 2017, of whom >80% were in sub-Saharan Africa. In Malawi, ~25 000 boys and 46 000 girls are infected with HIV. Objective. The present study aimed to evaluate a specific adolescent-friendly service implemented in a Diseases Relief through Excellence and Advanced Means (DREAM) health centre in Malawi. Methods. All HIV-positive patients aged 10-19 years in the care of the DREAM centre in Blantyre on 17 December 2016 were included in the study and followed-up until 1 January 2018. The service was organised for one adult-free day, with some side activities managed by a co-ordinator and youth leaders. Assessments were performed at the end of the period (EOP). Results. On 17 December 2016, 425 patients were enrolled in the study. Follow-up status at EOP was 403 (94.8%) patients in care, 7 (1.6%) lost to follow-up (LTFU), 2 (0.5%) died and 13 (3.1%) were transferred to other facilities. Death and LTFU rates were 0.72/100 and 2.9/100 person-years, respectively. Moreover, 50.6% (n=198/391) of patients had an improvement in body mass index (BMI)-for-age z-scores, and 70.2% (n=33/47) of patients who were malnourished at baseline improved (higher improvement in older patients). Mean (standard deviation (SD)) haemoglobin levels increased from 12.5 (1.5) mg/dL to 13.1 (1.9) mg/dL (significance level p=0.000). At the EOP, 79.0% (n=309/391) of patients had viral suppression. Conclusion. Care of adolescent HIV+ patients remains a challenge, but the implementation of specific projects involving adolescents and youth leaders can increase adherence and improve viral suppression.
2020
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore MED/42 - IGIENE GENERALE E APPLICATA
English
Ciccacci, F., Orlando, S., Sagno, J.b., Kamponda, M., Gondwe, J., Lunghi, R., et al. (2020). Evaluation of nutritional conditions, haemoglobin levels, retention in care and viral suppression in a cohort of HIV-infected malawian adolescents undergoing a one-year tailored intervention within the diseases relief through excellence and advanced means programme. THE SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CHILD HEALTH, 14(4), 228-232 [10.7196/SAJCH.2020.v14i4.01751].
Ciccacci, F; Orlando, S; Sagno, Jb; Kamponda, M; Gondwe, J; Lunghi, R; Marazzi, Mc; Palombi, L
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/276719
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