Early infant diagnosis and outcomes in HIV-exposed infants at a central and a district hospital, Northern Malawi
Compare outcomes of HIV exposed infants in early infant diagnosis programmes at Mzuzu Central Hospital
Abstract
Setting
Mzuzu Central Hospital (MZCH), Mzuzu, and Chitipa District Hospital (CDH), Chitipa, Malawi.
Objective
To compare management and outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposed infants in early infant diagnosis (EID) programmes at MZCH, where DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is performed on site, and CDH, where samples are sent to MZCH, between 2013 and 2014
Design
Retrospective cohort study.
Conclusion
EID programmes performed equally poorly at both hospitals, and might be helped by point-of-care DNA PCR testing. Better programme implementation and active follow-up might improve infant outcome and retention in care.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Phiri NA, Lee H-Y, Chilenga L, Mtika C, Sinyiza F, Musopole O, Nyirenda R, Yu JK-L, Harries AD. Early infant diagnosis and outcomes in HIV-exposed infants at a central and a district hospital, Northern Malawi. Public Health Action. 2017;7(2):83–9.