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ABSTRACT
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused service delivery disruptions on various health programs globally. Programs in pediatrics HIV services were disrupted, potentially affecting viral load suppression rates among the pediatric populations. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions on paediatric HIV viral load suppression rates at a central academic hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.
Method
We conducted a cross-sectional study using secondary facility-level data. The data were coded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019, and descriptive statistics were used to present the findings in the form of tables and graphs.
Result
Viral load suppression rates declined significantly from 44.6% in 2019 to 14.9% in 2021, with a 67% reduction in suppression likelihood (RR = 0.33).
Males had higher suppression rates (88.6%) than females (64.1%), though not statistically significant (p = 1.0).
Younger children (0-5 years old) had better suppression rates than adolescents (11-14 years old).
An increase in Lost to Follow-Up (LTF) in 2020 suggests treatment interruptions and reduced retention.
Males had higher suppression rates (88.6%) than females (64.1%), though not statistically significant (p = 1.0).
Younger children (0-5 years old) had better suppression rates than adolescents (11-14 years old).
An increase in Lost to Follow-Up (LTF) in 2020 suggests treatment interruptions and reduced retention.
Conclusion
COVID-19 had a profound negative impact on paediatric HIV viral suppression.
Strengthening ART service delivery, retention strategies, and differentiated models of care are critical to sustaining long-term viral suppression in children.
Strengthening ART service delivery, retention strategies, and differentiated models of care are critical to sustaining long-term viral suppression in children.