COVID-19 Ignited a Successful Growth Spurt in Pediatric HIV Differentiated Service Delivery Programming

Pediatric HIV differentiated service delivery (DSD) programming has historically lagged behind adult care despite WHO recommendations to include family-friendly alternatives for children and caregivers. This review explores the status of Pediatric DSD programming before the COVID-19 pandemic and then reviews published differentiated approaches that developed during the pandemic.

Differentiated service delivery programming for adults living with HIV has increased worldwide, and patient outcomes from these programs have been positive. Pediatric DSD programming has lagged, with many children ineligible for multi-month refills. Despite WHO recommendations to space ART visits for children, limited access to viral load monitoring and a lack of viral suppression among children have left them out of this more convenient care option. Community ART groups historically were not structured to include children. Furthermore, after-hours clinics and teen clubs with ART dispensing have not reached the majority of CLHIV.

This review highlights programs that developed out of necessity during the lockdowns of the pandemic. Ingenuity and creativity forced programmers to provide care to their patients with less patient-clinician interaction. Children became eligible for multi-month dispensing as programs loosened eligibility criteria. Technology helped provide virtual psychological support, and unique ART delivery methods were developed. This rapid expansion or growth spurt, of pediatric DSD programming sped up the inclusion of children into care options that were less burdensome to the family. As we move away from the pandemic and adjust to a new standard, we will remain diligent in ensuring that CLHIV outcomes remain stable or perhaps, improve.