Objective: The purpose of this study was to document the outcome of HIV-infected children receiving the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Togo.
Patients and method: It was a retrospective and descriptive multicentric national survey based on records of HIV-infected children who started receiving the HAART before the 31 st of June 2010. The study was conducted in 14 sites throughout the country.
Results: 854 children (under 15 years old) out of 1257 monitored in Togo were included in the survey. During the study period, 715 (84%) of those children were stable patients, always watched over at selected sites. To be noted also, 56 deaths (6%), 69 follow-up lost (8%) and 14 transfers to other sites (2%). Death and follow-up losses rates were higher in children under one year with respective percentages 11.9% and 18.6%. The rate of death was 13.7% in the cohort of 2007, 10.8% in the cohort of 2008, 6.5% in the cohort of 2009 and finally 5% in the cohort of 2010. The survival rate at 12 months was greater than 90% in all the cohorts.
Conclusion: This study shows a gradual improvement in the survival rate of HIV-infected children receiving the HAAART from 2007 to nowadays. The survival rate of children receiving the HAART at 12 months is not different from that of adults. So, it is important to improve qualitative and quantitative care of HIV-infected children in public health programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
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