Improving estimates of children living with HIV from the Spectrum AIDS Impact Model.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Estimated numbers of children living with HIV determine programmatic and treatment needs. We explain the changes made to the UNAIDS estimates between 2015 and 2016, and describe the challenges around these estimates.

Methods

Estimates of children newly infected, living with HIV, and dying of AIDS are developed by country teams using Spectrum software. Spectrum files are available for 160 countries, which represent 98% of the global population. In 2016, the methods were updated to reflect the latest evidence on mother-to-child HIV transmission and improved assumptions on the age children initiate antiretroviral therapy. We report updated results using the 2016 model and validate these estimates against mother-to-child transmission rates and HIV prevalence from popul

SUBMITTER: Mahy M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5520992 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature