Abstract:

Background information: A cross the global there are over 38 million people living with HIV/ADIS, out of them there are 1.8 million children <15 years, in 2018, it is estimated globally that children aged 0-14 living was 1,730,000, while those receiving ARV therapy was 940,000 making 62% of children are on treatment. Tanzania there are 65% of children are on ART up to 2017 data.

Objective: Exploring the prevalence and factors associated with lost to follow up among HIV infected children attending at Sengerema Designated District Hospital.

Methodology: It was a cross sectional study hospital based children below 15 years was enrolled to assess prevalence and risk factors of loss to follow up among HIV positive children attending at Sengerema District Hospital.

Results: A total of 155 children aged between 0 months to 15 years were enrolled in this study. Eight (5.13%) children were lost to follow up. Among participants 141 (90.4%) had good adherence to ART whereas 29 (18.6%) were unstable clients. Of 155 participants 139 (89.1%) had viral load less than 50 copies/ml. Mothers, 120 (76.9%) were the common treatment supporters for the children. Most children were on 1st line of ARV according latest guidelines Doltugravir bases were 46 (29.29%) while Lopinavir based were 110 (70.51%).

Conclusion: Loss to follow up among HIV positive children aged below 15 years attending at Sengerema District Hospital is common. The predictors of this problem depicted in this study include being classified and an unstable clients and poor adherence to ART.