Rate of BCG Immunization in HIV-Exposed Infants in a Selected Primary Health Centre in Southern Nigeria: Implications of No Vaccine Policy for HIV-Positive Infants

Author(s):  
A M Ekanem ◽  
I P Oloyede ◽  
U E Ekrikpo ◽  
A U Idung ◽  
E Edward

Abstract Background Maternal and infant HIV status influences the decision of BCG immunization of infants at birth. The objective of this study was to determine the HIV status of HIV-exposed infants (HEIs) by the first HIV DNA PCR test and the rate of BCG uptake among the HEIs who were confirmed HIV negative. Methods This was a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study involving the review of results of 99 dried blood samples (DBS) for the first HIV DNA PCR test of HEIs whose mothers were diagnosed HIV positive on presentation of the infants at first immunization visit at a Primary Health Centre from January 2018 to January 2019. Results Of the 99 DBS examined, 86; 86.9% (95% CI 80.1–93.6) were HIV negative, 9; 9.1% (95% CI 3.3–14.8) were positive while the results of 4 (4.0%) infants were not in the register. Only 7; 7.1% (95% CI 1.9–12.2) of the 99 HEIs returned for BCG immunization at the centre. BCG immunization status of the HEIs after first PCR results was not significantly associated with sex of the infants or availability of phone number of the guardians (p = 0.70 and 0.12, respectively). Conclusion The majority of HEIs were HIV negative at first HIV DNA PCR test. Few of these HIV negative infants returned for BCG immunization. Hence, all HEIs should be given BCG immunization according to WHO GAVCS committee recommendation on BCG immunization for settings with poor HIV diagnostic and treatment facilities for mothers and infants.

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose Kisa ◽  
Joseph K. B. Matovu ◽  
Esther Buregyeya ◽  
William Musoke ◽  
Caroline J. Vrana-Diaz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background According to the user instructions from the manufacturer of OraQuick HIV self-test (HIVST) kits, individuals whose kits show one red band should be considered to be HIV-negative, no matter how weak the band is. However, recent reports show potential for a second false weak band after storage, thereby creating confusion in the interpretation of results. In this study, we re-tested individuals whose results were initially non-reactive but changed to weak reactive results to determine their true HIV status. Methods This study was nested within a large, cluster-randomized HIVST trial implemented among pregnant women attending antenatal care and their male partners in central Uganda between July 2016 and February 2017. Ninety-five initially HIV-negative respondents were enrolled into this study, including 52 whose kits developed a second weak band while in storage and 43 whose kits were interpreted as HIV-positive by interviewers at the next follow-up interview. Respondents were invited to return for repeat HIVST which was performed under the observation of a trained nurse counsellor. After HIVST, respondents underwent blood-based rapid HIV testing as per the national HIV testing algorithm (Determine (Abbot Laboratories), STAT-PAK (Chembio Diagnostic Systems Inc.) and Unigold (Trinity Biotech plc.) and dry blood spots were obtained for DNA/PCR testing. DNA/PCR was considered as the gold-standard HIV testing method. Results After repeat HIVST, 90 (94.7%) tested HIV-negative; 2 (2.1%) tested HIV-positive; and 3 (3.2%) had missing HIV test results. When respondents were subjected to blood-based rapid HIV testing, 97.9% (93/95) tested HIV-negative while 2.1% (2/95) tested HIV-positive. Finally, when the respondents were subjected to DNA/PCR, 99% (94/95) tested HIV-negative while 1.1% (1/95) tested HIV-positive. Conclusions Nearly all initially HIV-negative individuals whose HIVST kits developed a second weak band while in storage or were interpreted as HIV-positive by interviewers were found to be HIV-negative after confirmatory DNA/PCR HIV testing. These findings suggest a need for HIV-negative individuals whose HIVST results change to false positive while under storage or under other sub-optimal conditions to be provided with an option for repeat testing to determine their true HIV status.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wingston Ng'ambi ◽  
Janne Estill ◽  
Fatma Aziza Merzouki ◽  
Erol Orel ◽  
Tiwonge Chimpandule ◽  
...  

Background: Despite the high availability of individual-level data of infants accessing HIV DNA polymerase chain reaction (DNA-PCR) testing service, there has been little in-depth analysis of such data. Therefore, we describe spatial and temporal trends in risk of HIV infection among Malawi HIV-exposed infants (HEI) with DNA-PCR HIV test result from 2013 to 2020. Methods: This is an implementation study using routinely collected patient-level HIV DNA-PCR test result data extracted from the national Laboratory Management Information System database managed by the Department of HIV/AIDS between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2020. We calculated frequencies, proportions and odds ratios (OR) with their associated 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). We performed a random-effects logistic regression to determine the risk factors associated with HIV infection in infants, controlling for the spatial autocorrelation between districts and adjusting for other variables. Results: We evaluated 255,229 HEI across 750 facilities in 28 districts. The overall risk of HIV infection among all tested HEI between 2013 and 2020 was 7.2% (95%CI: 7.1-7.3). We observed a decreasing trend in the proportion of HEI that tested HIV positive from 7.0% (95%CI: 6.6-7.4) in 2013 to 5.7% (95%CI: 5.4-5.9) in 2015 followed by an increase to 9.9% (95%CI: 9.6-10.2) in 2017 and then a decreasing trend to 4.2% (95%CI: 3.7-4.6) in 2020. The risk of HIV infection increased by age of the HEI. There was spatial heterogeneity of HIV prevalence between districts of Malawi. Conclusion: We summarised spatial and temporal trends of risk of HIV infection amongst HEI in Malawi between 2013 and 2020. There is need for further strengthening of EID program to ensure that all the HEI are enrolled in care by eight weeks of age in order to further reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV.


2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Mansergh ◽  
David J. McKirnan ◽  
Stephen A. Flores ◽  
Sharon M. Hudson ◽  
Beryl A. Koblin ◽  
...  

This study compared HIV-related attitudes and intentions by respondent HIV-status in a large sample of substance-using men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. Attitudes and intentions included self-efficacy for safer sex; difficulty communicating with sex partners about safer sex; intent to use condoms consistently and to not use substances before sex in the next 3 months; and less concern for HIV given effective antiviral treatments. Differences were found for behavior during the most recent anal sex encounter by HIV-status, including (a) insertive and (b) receptive anal sex risk behavior, and (c) substance use before or during the encounter. Self-efficacy for safer sex was associated with less risk behavior among HIV-negative men but not among HIV-positive men, suggesting that self-efficacy for safer sex continues to be a relevant issue to address in counseling uninfected MSM. HIV-positive men who reported less concern for HIV given treatments were more likely to report receptive risk behavior, as were HIV-negative men who reported difficulty communicating about safer sex. Implications are discussed for potentially heightened client desire and therapeutic opportunity to reduce future substance use during sex for clients who report recent substance use during sex.


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