Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
Rapid identification of infants for antiretroviral therapy in a resource poor setting: the Kenya experience
Samoel Khamadi1, Vincent Okoth, Raphael Lihana
1Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Insights
Early infant HIV diagnosis in Kenya is feasible but costly. A pilot study found 15.4% of infants tested positive for HIV, highlighting the need for accessible diagnosis and treatment services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Infant HIV diagnosis is not routinely performed in Kenya, hindering timely access to critical interventions.
- Rapid and accessible diagnostic services are crucial for improving outcomes in HIV-exposed infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of an infant HIV diagnostic service in Kenya.
- To assess the prevalence of HIV among infants in Kenya despite existing prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs.
Main Methods:
- Dried blood spots (DBS) were collected from HIV-exposed infants.
- Samples were tested using the Roche Amplicor v. 1.5 DNA PCR kit at a central laboratory.
- Results were reported to health facilities within one week.
Main Results:
- A significant 15.4% of tested infants were diagnosed as HIV-positive.
- The cost per test was determined to be $21.50 USD.
- This cost is considered prohibitive, potentially limiting access to diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Implementing an infant HIV diagnostic service in Kenya is feasible.
- The high cost of testing presents a barrier to widespread access for infants.
- Further evaluation is needed to determine if increased testing translates to improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for infants.
Abstract:
In Kenya, HIV diagnosis is not routinely carried out in infants, and yet rapid diagnosis could improve access to lifesaving interventions. A cheap and readily accessible service can resolve this problem, if feasible. In this pilot study the feasibility and costs of provision of an infant HIV diagnosis service in Kenya are evaluated. Dried blood spots (DBS) were collected from infants exposed to HIV, sent to a central testing laboratory and tested using the Roche Amplicor v. 1.5 DNA PCR kit. The results were then dispatched to health facilities within a week. A total of 15.4% of the samples tested HIV+ despite the widespread access to prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programs in Kenya. The cost per test at 21.50 USD is prohibitive and will limit access to diagnosis. It remains to be seen whether the increase in testing will immediately lead to an increase in access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) services for infants.
