Factors affecting the survival of HIV-infected children after ART initiation in Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia

Background: The attention given to HIV-infected children in terms of providing ART had so far taken a second rank. This was because primary concern is about adults. Objectives: This study had the objectives to estimate the survival duration and identify socio-economic, demographic and clinical predictor variables that affect the survival of HIV-infected children under ART. Methods: The data used in this study were obtained from the medical records of 255 HIV-infected children under the age of 15 who received ART in Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test allowed for comparison of survival of patients in different categories. Identification of predictors of survival was accomplished by employing the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: The mean survival time was found to be 22.4 months with standard deviation of 0.7 months. Baseline hemoglobin level, WHO clinical stage and age had significant impact on the survival of children during the 30 months of follow up. Conclusion: The risk of death among HIV-infected children with lower hemoglobin level in younger age groups was higher compared to those who were older and had higher hemoglobin level; the risk was highest in stage IV which was very similar to that in stage III.