Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
High HIV prevalence among children presenting for general consultation in rural Cameroon
A Zoufaly1, R Hammerl2, F Sunjoh3
1Infectious Diseases Unit, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Insights
Paediatric HIV screening in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial. This study found significant HIV prevalence in children in Cameroon, highlighting the need for universal testing at healthcare entry points to reduce mortality.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on paediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Ongoing debate surrounds optimal strategies for paediatric HIV screening in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HIV infection among children attending a rural outpatient department in Cameroon.
- To identify risk factors associated with HIV infection in this paediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 981 children with unknown HIV status.
- HIV testing utilized Determine HIV-1/2 rapid tests, with positive results confirmed by Hexagon HIV rapid tests.
- HIV infection in children under 18 months was further confirmed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing.
Main Results:
- An overall HIV prevalence of 3.1% was observed in children under 18 months (16 out of 514).
- Confirmed HIV-1 PCR results were positive in 6 out of 11 infants tested.
- The highest HIV prevalence (8.8%) was found in the 5-9 year age group.
- Malnutrition was significantly associated with HIV infection (33.3% vs 5.2%, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- HIV testing should be offered to all children at healthcare entry points, regardless of symptoms.
- Universal screening can facilitate early diagnosis and timely antiretroviral therapy initiation.
- Implementing widespread testing is essential to reduce HIV-associated mortality in children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract:
Data on the HIV-prevalence children presenting to health care facilities in sub-Saharan Africa are scant in general, and the debate about opportunities for paediatric HIV screening is ongoing. Nine hundred and eighty-one children with unknown HIV-status presenting to a large general paediatric outpatient department in rural Cameroon were tested using the Determine HIV-1/2 rapid test (Abbott), and positive results were confirmed with the Hexagon HIV rapid test (Human Diagnostics). In children younger than 18 months, HIV infection was confirmed by PCR testing. Median age was 1.3 years and 52.8% were of male gender. In 514 children below 18 months of age, 16 (3.1%) tested positive. Of those, HIV-1 PCR was available for 11 children, of whom 6 had a positive PCR result. HIV prevalence was highest in the age group 5-9 years, being 8.8%. Malnutrition (33.3 vs 5.2%, p < 0.001) was associated with HIV infection. Our study results indicate that HIV testing should be offered to all children at possible entry points to medical care, irrespective of symptoms, in order to reduce HIV-associated mortality through timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles