Lost to Follow-up and Predictors Among HIV-Exposed Infants in Northwest Ethiopia
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Lost to Follow-up and Predictors Among HIV-Exposed Infants in Northwest Ethiopia Chalachew Adugna Wubneh
. Getaneh Mulualem Belay .
Fikadu Ambaw Yehualashet . Nigusie Birhan Tebeje . Birye Dessalegn Mekonnen . Aklilu Endalamaw
Received: June 13, 2020 / Accepted: October 14, 2020 Ó The Author(s) 2020
ABSTRACT Introduction: Even though advancement in mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention services is observed, many infants are lost to follow-up and could not access the full package of mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention services as a result. This is one of the obstacles to the effectiveness of the program. Therefore, determining the magnitude of lost to follow-up and its predictors is important among HIV-exposed infants. Method: This institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted from August 2013 to June 2018 at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. We C. A. Wubneh (&) G. M. Belay Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia e-mail: [email protected] F. A. Yehualashet N. B. Tebeje Unit of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia B. D. Mekonnen Department of Nursing, Teda Health Sciences College, Gondar, Ethiopia A. Endalamaw Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
retrieved charts of 423 child–mother pairs through a simple random sampling technique. Data collectors extracted data by using a data extraction tool adapted from the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health HIV-exposed infant follow-up form. Bivariable and multivariable Cox regression models were fitted to identify predictors of lost to follow-up. Result: A total of 402 child–mother pairs were included in the study. Of the study participants, 6.0% were lost to follow-up for more than 3 months before the declaration of their HIV status. Born from rural residence mother (AHR = 3.5; 95% CI 1.549–7.894), infants whose mothers have three and more children (AHR = 3; 95% CI 1.284–6.963), and low birth weight infants (AHR = 3.2; 95% CI 1.055–9.450) were independent predictors of lost to follow-up among HIV-exposed infants. Conclusion: Significant numbers of infants were unable to access full HIV diagnosis and care services as a result of loss to follow-up. Special consideration for mothers having large numbers of children, rural residence, and low birth weight infants could be an important intervention to decrease lost to follow-up. Keywords: Ethiopia; HIV-exposed infant; Lost to follow-up; Predictors
Infect Dis Ther
INTRODUCTION Key Summary Points Why carry out this study? HIV-exposed infants are a vulnerable population for HIV infection and related complications as they need special care and support. Lost to follow-up from service is one of the challenges to accessing the full packa
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