Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-Infection among Sickle Cell-Exposed Children in Kisumu County, Western Kenya

Abstract

Globally, the high prevalence of infectious diseases, particularly HIV, and the possible interaction with sickle cell disease, has been of great public health concern. Kenya experiences a significant burden of HIV. Kisumu County in particular, exhibits unique epidemiological burden characterized by unprecedented high mortality 50%-90% among children with sickle cell disease,. This is coupled with high prevalence 17.5% of HIV/AIDS among its population, and high malaria endemicity with prevalence of 19%. The overarching aim of this study was to assess the HIV co-infection among sickle cell-exposed children in Kisumu County. The study adopted a retrospective systematic review. Study population comprised of the sickle cell-exposed children in Kisumu County with a sample size of 173. The study used both purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Majority 99.2% of the sample size participated. The prevalence of HIV among sickle cell-exposed children was 4.65% in Kisumu County. Majority 76.3% sickle cell-exposed children had hemoglobinopathies for sickle cell disease. Age was not statistically significant factor p-value= 0.414 complicating co-infection. A paltry one quarter 49 (28.48%) had attained fifth anniversary with close to a third 47 (27.33%) being only 7 months to one and half years old. Viral load was statistically significant p-value=0.046 in β-thalassemia co-infection. The study recommends enhancement of HIV screening and prevention efforts in this vulnerable population