The pattern of mucocutaneous disorders in HIV – infected children attending care and treatment centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Abstract
Background: HIV/AIDS is associated with a wide range of mucocutaneous disorders some ofwhich are useful in the clinical staging and prognosis of the syndrome. There is paucity of information regarding the prevalence and pattern of mucocutaneous disorders among HIV infected children attending paediatric Care and Treatment Centres (CTC) in Dar es Salaam. Objective To determine the prevalence and pattern of mucocutaneous disorders among HIV infected children attending public paediatric 'Care and Treatment Centres' in Dar es Salaam.
Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study involving public paediatric 'Care and Treatment Centres' in Dar es Salaam. Clinical information was obtained using a questionnaire.Dermatological examination was carried out in daylight. Investigations were taken as appropriate.Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 10.0.Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were utilized. A p-value of less than 0.05 was consideredstatistically significant.
Results: Three hundred and forty seven HIV infected children (52% males) attending CTCs were recruited into the study. Mucocutaneous disorders were encountered in 85% of them. There wasno gender difference in the prevalence of the infective mucocutaneous disorders but males had ahigher prevalence of non-infective/inflammatory dermatoses (58%) than females (42%) (p = 0.02).Overall, mucocutaneous disorders (infective + non infective) were more prevalent in advancedstages of HIV disease. Children with advanced HIV disease had a significantly increased frequencyof fungal and viral infections (43% and 25% respectively than those with less advanced disease; 24%and 13% respectively (p = 0.01). Seventy four percent of the HIV-infected children withmucocutaneous disorders were already on ART.
Conclusion: Mucocutaneous disorders among HIV infected children attending Care and Treatment Centres are common and highly variable. Comprehensive management should also emphasize on the management of mucocutaneous disorders
Description
Keywords
Inflammatory Dermatosis, Superficial Fungal Infection, Seborrheic Dermatitis
Citation
Panya, M.F., Mgonda, Y.M. & Massawe, A.W. The pattern of mucocutaneous disorders in HIV – infected children attending care and treatment centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. BMC Public Health 9, 234 (2009).