Disparities in HIV/AIDS Progression among Children A Case of Uganda
Maternal and child health
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Issue: 2
(11 - 2016)
Background: The chronic nature of HIV/AIDS requires many resources in its management, yet
knowledge on the rates of HIV infection transition from one stage to another is scanty. To shed light on
this, we used a lifecourse theoretical perspective to appraise the chronological effect of demographic
and socioeconomic factors on the lifecourse of HIV-AIDS progression among children. Methods: A 136
months retrospective follow-up of 59 children aged 0-15 for survival analysis. Results: Children
contributed 5,108 person months on HIV infection lifecourse of which 55% is lived with asymptomatic
stage. The duration of exposure to HIV infection contributed in each stage decreases with progressive
amplification in the infection. Age at initiation of treatment, caregivers, father’s survival and religious
affiliation causes disparities in HIV infection progression. Conclusion: To optimize HIV infection survival
time, HIV/AIDS care and treatment should strive to maintain HIV infection within asymptomatic levels
yet initiating treatment on the earliest time possible.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS Survival-time, HIV-infection-progression, H|V-infection stages, HIV/AIDS-
lifecourse, ART, Disparities
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