Prevalence and factors associated with sero-conversion among HIV exposed infants receiving care at Lira regional referral hospital in Lira City: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a significant public health concern globally, particularly among vulnerable populations such as infants. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV contributes significantly to infant and child HIV-related mortality. In Uganda, up to 3200 children aged 0 to 14 years die due to HIV-related causes annually, which is highly concentrated in areas heavily affected by HIV, like Lira city. Therefore, this study aimed to find out the prevalence of seroconversion and its associated factors among HIV exposed infants receiving care at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in Lira City, northern Uganda.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design which used a retrospective approach. 217 patient files of infants under 18 months at the Early Infant Diagnosis Clinic of Lira Regional Referral Hospital from February 2021 to February 2024 were systematically selected. Quantitative methods of data collection using a standardized data extraction form were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 to obtain results. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done considering the p-values of 0.2 and 0.05 respectively as levels of statistical significance and data was presented in form of tables and pie-chart.

RESULTS

There were 217 case records reviewed and the results showed that; The seroconversion rate among exposed infants was 7.3% (16/217), and several factors including infants' sex (aOR 36.177; 95%CI:(1.747-749.045), P = 0.020), Infant's nutrition status (aOR 437.186; 95%CI: (5.248-36,422.893), P = 0.007), Infants' mode of feeding (aOR 10.565; 95%CI: (1.171-96.990), P = 0.036) and Maternal viral load suppression status during lactation (aOR 27.971; 95%CI:(1.049-745.899), P = 0.047) were found to be significantly associated with seroconversion.

CONCLUSION

The seroconversion rates among exposed infants in Lira City are higher than the national estimate of 6.9%. Even now that there has been reduced support towards HIV/AIDs services, stakeholders including midwives, the ministry of health and local leaders should align efforts on strengthening appropriate infant feeding counseling, timely ART initiation for newly tested mothers and adherence counselling for unsuppressed mothers and continuously monitoring PMTCT programs.