Impact of orphan status on HIV treatment outcomes and retention in care of children and adolescents in Asia

Abstract


An analysis of the impact of orphanhood at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation on HIV outcomes in Asia included 4300 children; 51% were male. At ART initiation, 1805 (42%) were non-orphans (median age: 3 years), 1437 (33%) were single orphans (6 years) and 1058 (25%) were double orphans (7 years). Ten-year post-ART survival was 93.4–95.2% across orphan categories. Clinic transfers were higher among single and double orphans than non-orphans (41% vs 11%, P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, children ≥3 years at ART initiation (hazard ratio 1.58 vs <3 years, 95% confidence interval: 1.11–2.24) were more likely to be lost to follow-up. Although post-ART mortality and retention did not differ by orphan status, orphans were at greater risk of starting ART at older ages, and with more severe immunosuppression and poorer growth.



Other articles

Parental death in childhood and self-inflicted injuries in young adults-a national cohort study from Sweden

Previous studies have shown that parental death influences health and mortality in bereaved offspring. To date, few studies…

Read more

Child Participation in Zimbabwe's National Action Plan for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children: Progress, Challenges and Possibilities

Children have the right to participate in all matters that affect them—including national policies, such as Zimbabwe's National…

Read more

A study of environmental stimulation: An orphanage preschool project.

In this major study of the effects of preschool education on child behavior the four authors have had the courage to see…

Read more

Role of Orphanages to Uplift the Socio-Economic Status of Orphans Focusing on SOS Children’s Villages in Punjab, Pakistan

The present study has been designed to examine the effect of the upbringing environment on the development of orphan children…

Read more