Risk Factors for First-line Antiretroviral Treatment Failure in HIV-1 Infected Children Attending Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, North Central Nigeria
Augustine O. Ebonyi *
Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos/ Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos. Nigeria
Stephen Oguche
Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos/ Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos. Nigeria
Emeka U. Ejeliogu
Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos/ Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos. Nigeria
Sylvanus E. Okpe
Department of Paediatrics, University of Jos/ Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos. Nigeria
Oche O. Agbaji
Department of Medicine, University of Jos/ Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos. Nigeria.
Solomon A. Sagay
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Jos/ Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
Prosper Okonkwo
AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) LLC, Abuja, Nigeria.
John A. Idoko
National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Abuja, Nigeria.
Phyllis Kanki
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine risk factors for first-line antiretroviral treatment failure in HIV-1 infected children attending Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos.
Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Place and Duration of Study: Paediatric HIV clinic at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, between February 2006 and December 2010.
Methodology: Data on demographic, clinical and laboratory variables for 580 HIV-1 infected children aged 2 months to 15 years on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were analysed. A comparison of the data on children with and without treatment failure was made. Variables associated with treatment failure in a univariate analysis were then fit in a multivariate logistic model to determine the factors that were associated with treatment failure.
Results: The rate of treatment failure among the children was 18.8%. Previous antiretroviral drugs (ARV) exposure for treatment, not receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis before commencement of ART and having severe immune suppression at HIV diagnosis were the factors independently associated with treatment failure. Children with previous ARV exposure for treatment were 4 times more likely to fail treatment compared to those without previous exposure (AOR=4.20 (1.93-9.15); p <0.001). Children who did not receive cotrimoxazole prophylaxis were twice more likely to develop treatment failure compared to those who did (AOR=2.26 (1.06-4.79); p=0.03) and children with severe immune suppression at HIV diagnosis were twice more likely to develop treatment failure compared to those without severe immune suppression (AOR=2.34 (1.47-3.72); p<0.001).
Conclusion: HIV-infected children with previous ARV exposure for treatment and severe immune suppression should be monitored closely and given frequent adherence counseling to minimize the risk of treatment failure. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis should be encouraged in HIV-infected children while they await commencement of ART, which may improve ART adherence and thus reduce the risk of treatment failure.
Keywords: HIV-1, antiretroviral, treatment failure, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, ARV exposure, paediatric ART, Africa.