Investigation of an extensive outbreak of HIV infection among children in Sindh, Pakistan: protocol for a matched case<b>-</b>control study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In April 2019, 14 children were diagnosed with HIV infection by a private healthcare provider in Larkana district, Sindh province, Pakistan. Over the next 3 months, 930 individuals were diagnosed with HIV, >80% below 16 years, the largest ever outbreak of HIV in children in Pakistan. In this protocol paper, we describe research methods for assessing likely modes of HIV transmission in this outbreak and investigate spatial and molecular epidemiology.

Methods and analysis

A matched case-control study will be conducted with 406 cases recruited. Cases will be children aged below 16 years registered for care at the HIV treatment centre at Shaikh Zayed Children Hospital in Larkana City. Controls will be children who are HIV-uninfected (confirmed by a rapid HIV test) m

SUBMITTER: Siddiqui AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7170612 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature