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

Human Immunodeficiency

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Vol. 12 No. 08 (2024)
Medical Sciences and Pharmacy
August 10, 2024

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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