Background: ART drugs medication for the treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV. There are different classes of ant retroviral drugs that act at different stages of HIV cycle. Pharmacological ART classes include the followings (i) Protease inhibitors (PIs), (ii) Integrase inhibitors INSTIs), (iii) Nuclease reverse transcriptase inhibitors. (NRTIs), (iv) Non-nucleoside transcriptase (NNRTIs). In Tanzania, a total of 29,531 (14,304 boys, and 15,227 girls) ART naïve children aged 0-14 years were enrolled during period, of which approximately 67000 to 80000 children per years.
Methodology: Retrospective cross sectional was conducted in respective care and treatments centres (CTCs) pharmacies in primary health facilities in Nyamagana district, Mwanza. Structured questionnaires and checklist were used to obtain required information from the participants.
Results and discussion: Among of the 21 follow-up ART drugs, only one drug, LPV/r (40mg/10mg) was not available in all the 11 facilities. Among of the 21 check listed ART drugs, a total of 8 out of 21 drugs were fully 100% available. The drugs include AZT/3TC/NVP (60mg/30mg/50mg). EFV (200mg), TDF/3TC/EFV, nevirapine syrup (50mg/5mls, 100mls) ABC/3TC (12mg/60mg), dolutegravir (DTG) mg,,LPV/r ( 80mg,20mg/ml) and ABC/3TC/EFV. Among of the 21 check listed ART drugs, a total of 13 out of 21 drugs were available at a percentage range of 75-99%. The drugs include AZT/3TC/NVP (60mg, 30mg, 50mg), AZT/3TC/NVP (60mg/30mg/50mg), EFV (200mg) TDF/3TC/EFV, raltegravil (RAL) 100mg, nevirapine syrup (50mg/5mls, 100mls), ATVr 200mg, ABC/3TC/120mg/60mg), ABC/3TC/LPV/r dolutegravir (DTG) 0mg, LPV/r (80mg, 20mg/ml) AZT/3TC/RAL and AZT/3TC/LPV/r. Among of the 21 check listed ART drugs, a total of 10 out of 21 drugs were available at a range of 50-74%. AZT/3TC/NVP (60mg/30mg/50mg), EFV (200mg), TDF/3TC/EFV, nevirapine syrup (50mg/5mls) ABC/3TC (120mg/60mg) dolutegravir (DTG), LPV/r (80mg, 20mg/ml) and ABC/3TC/EFV. Among of the 21 check listed ART drugs, a total of 2 out of 21 drugs were available at <50%. These drugs are EFV (200mg) and ABC/3TC/LPV/r.
Conclusion and recommendation: The availability and procurement of paediatric ART drugs in health facilities in Nyamagana district, is very low because of some factors, but the main reasons comes from the government like at the MSD, where all the ART are to be distributed throughout the country, there is poor distribution to the health facilities and procurement system. Hence, the government should set policies that would lead to increase the availability of paediatric drugs all over the country. Also the government should provide enough knowledge to the community about the disease and its consequences to the community.
Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102: P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: Phone: +255 28 298 3384: Fax: +255 28 298 3386: Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz : www.bugando.ac.tz