Prevalent Opportunistic Infections Associated With Hiv-positive Children Aged 0-5 Years In Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (nauth), Anambra State, Nigeria

Children are at the centre of the HIV epidemic, and the need to prioritize actions to reduce HIV infection among young people has now been globally recognized. Because HIV-infected women co-infected with opportunistic pathogens might be more likely to transmit these infections to their infants than women without HIV infection, this study is being conducted to determine if guidelines for treating opportunistic pathogens among children should consider treatment of congenitally acquired infections among both HIV-exposed,  uninfected children and those with HIV infection. 

Aim: To ascertain the prevalent opportunistic infections associated with HIV positive children 0-5 years that attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH), and Anambra State, Nigeria in order to prioritize actions to reduce HIV epidemic among children.

Method:   The research method employed in this study is the survey research. This is because it facilitates the collection of information or data about the population under study in a uniform and reliable manner. Data were collected using an Hospital  based cross-sectional survey of HIV positive children between 0-5 years that attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH), Anambra State, Nigeria between November and December, 2014. A total of 500 HIV positive children   between 0-5 years were examined in this study. They were grouped into less than 1 year and 1-5 years based on Centres for Disease Control (CDC) classification system. 200 children were under 1 year and 300 were 1-5 years. 

The CD4 cell count and percentage of the HIV positive children were analyzed by flow cytometry (Partec Cyflow Counter) made in Germany. The results obtained were recorded appropriately and was then categorized based on CDC classification system.

The overall results showed that malaria infection recorded the highest prevalence with 61.10% in less than 1 year and 66.37% in 1-5 years. This was followed by Oral Candidiasis 38.07% in less than 1 year and 50% in 1-5 years. Bacteraemia had 23.40% and 30.60% in less than 1 year and 1-5 years respectively. Diarrhoea, 14.22% in less than 1 year and 17.66% in 1-5 years. Otitis media had 10.55% and 10.95% in less than 1 year and 1-5 years respectively.  Similarly, 100 apparently healthy HIV-negative children within the same age group were evaluated for the presence of these infections. There was a statistical significance between opportunistic infections and HIV infection (P < 0.001). 

Ethical issues have been considered all through this study with clearances gotten from the facility managers of NAUTH. A written consent was signed by the parents of the participants and issues related to anonymity and confidentiality was maintained throughout the study.

Keywords: Classification System, Malaria, Oral Candidiasis, Bacteraemia, Diarrhoea, Otitis Media 

TITLE PAGE

ABSTRACT

1.0 INTRODUCTION  AND BACKGROUND

1.1  INTRODUCTION

1.2 BACKGROUND 

1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

1.4 PURPOSE OF STUDY

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 OPPORTUNISTIC  INFECTIONS AMONG HIV-EXPOSED AND INFECTED CHILDREN

2.2 TYPES OF OPPORTUNISTIC  INFECTIONS

2.2.1 Pneumo Cystis Piroveci (PCP)

2.2.2 Toxoplasmosis

2.2.3 Cryptosporidiosis/Microsporidiosis

2.2.4 Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

2.2.5 Mycobacterium avium Complex Disease

2.2.6 Serious and Recurrent Bacterial Infections

2.2.7 Syphilis

2.2.8 Candida Infections

2.2.9 Cryptococcosis

CHAPTER THREE

3. 0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 

3.1 OBJECTIVE

3.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 

4.1 Study Design

4.2 The Study Area 

4.3 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION 

4.4 STUDY POPULATION

4.5 DETERMINATION OF CD4 COUNT AND PERCENTAGE 

4.5.1Malaria Parasitaemia

 4.5.2 Diarrhoea

 4.5.3 Otitis Media

 4.5.4 Bacteraemia

 4.6.5 Oral Candidiasis 

4.6 DATA ANALYSIS 

4.7 RESULTS 

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION

5.1 TABLES

5.2 LIMITATIONS FOR THIS STUDY

5.3 CONCLUSION

5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS

5.5 LIMITATIONS FOR THIS STUDY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

REFERENCES

APPENDIX 

PLAGIARISM REPORT