Retention of pediatric patients in care: a study of the Kibera Community Health Center HIV/AIDS Program

BACKGROUND: In 2011, 3.4 million children were living with HIV worldwide1. OBJECTIVES: Describe the characteristics of pediatric patients enrolled into the HIV program at the Kibera community health center between January 2012 and March 2013. Determine the proportion of enrolled paediatric patients lost to follow up. Determine the correlates associated with retention and loss to follow up METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort study of program data of all pediatric patients enrolled into the HIV program in the facility between January 2012 and March 2013. The data was analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Of the 100 pediatric patients enrolled during the study period, 79 and 21 were HIV negative and positive respectively. Only 4 (5%) of the HIV exposed Infants and 11 (52%) of the HIV positive children were started on ART within the study period. The retention rate of the children at 3 months was 87% while the retention at both 12 and 15 months was 79%. There was an association between the mother or guardian disclosing their status and the retention of the child (p-value 0.026) CONCLUSION: The disclosure of the HIV status by parent/guardian to the child was associated with better retention of the children in the program.