Optimizing HIV case identification among children and understanding remaining gaps in pediatric HIV testing in Kinshasa, DRC.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is critical to identify children living with HIV and initiate lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) early. The Pediatric Accelerated Case Finding Effort focused on contact elicitation and HIV testing of ART clients' biological children. We describe HIV testing and seropositivity rates following the initiative and gaps along the index testing cascade to inform pediatric HIV case finding optimization.

Methods

This mixed-methods study involved collecting monthly data on index testing outcomes, including elicitation (identifying biological children < 15 years), HIV testing and linkage to treatment from March 2020 to July 2021 in 35 facilities in Kinshasa. Data were summarized and presented for the first month (as a baseline proxy) and the entire study period. Q

SUBMITTER: Ingala D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10765655 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature