Characteristics Of People With HIV And AIDS Outpatient Children In The General Hijau Of Hajj Adam Malik Medan In 2018

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Characteristics of People with HIV and AIDS Outpatient Children in the General Hijau of Hajj Adam Malik Medan in 2018

Introduction

HIV and AIDS are a serious threat to public health worldwide, including in Indonesia. According to data, the prevalence of HIV in Indonesia reaches 18 per 100,000 population, while AIDS reaches 3.5 per 100,000 population. One of the critical issues related to HIV in children is that more than 90% of this infection is transmitted vertically from mother to child. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the characteristics of HIV and AIDS sufferers in children who undergo outpatient treatment at the Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital in Medan in 2018.

Background

HIV and AIDS are a significant public health concern in Indonesia, with a growing number of cases reported each year. The transmission of HIV from mother to child is a major issue, as it can lead to the development of AIDS in children. In Indonesia, the prevalence of HIV in children is a critical concern, and it is essential to understand the characteristics of these children to develop effective intervention programs.

Methodology

This study used a descriptive design with a case series approach, where data was collected from the medical records of children with HIV and AIDS. The total sample size was 165 people, and the data was analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis with the chi-square test. The results of the analysis show that the highest proportion of HIV and AIDS sufferers is found in the age group 1-4 years (38.3%) and more in girls (50.9%).

Results

The results of the study show that the majority of children with HIV and AIDS in this study have not or not attended school (92.1%), with the Batak ethnic dominance (72.7%) and the majority of Protestant Christians (53.3%). Interestingly, most of the children involved in the study came from outside the city of Medan (51.5%). In terms of health conditions, almost all children were born with normal birth weight (97.6%), have normal body mass index (BMI) (45.2%), and good nutritional status (62.6%). On average, HIV is detected in children for ≥ 18 months (61.2%). HIV infection in these children is mostly transmitted vertically, and 50.3% are in the final clinical stage.

Analysis of CD4 Indicator

Further analysis of the CD4 indicator shows significant differences in children aged 1-3 years, which indicate the weight category for early and end CD4. These results underline the importance of proper health monitoring and treatment for children with HIV and AIDS, including the handling of opportunistic infections recorded in 50.3% of these children.

Discussion

The findings of this study show the need for more attention to the nutritional status of children with HIV, where there are significant differences in the proportion of opportunistic infections based on the CD4 category and nutritional status (p = 0.035 and p = 0,000). Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to do HIV tests early on, so that if detected positively, they can immediately get treatment to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child vertically.

Conclusion

This research gives a clear picture of the characteristics of children with HIV and AIDS who undergo outpatient care at the Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital. This finding can be a reference for policy makers and health workers in planning a more effective intervention program to deal with HIV and AIDS problems in children in Indonesia.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  1. Early HIV testing: Pregnant women should undergo HIV testing early on to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child vertically.
  2. Proper health monitoring: Children with HIV and AIDS should receive proper health monitoring and treatment, including the handling of opportunistic infections.
  3. Nutritional status: The nutritional status of children with HIV should be given more attention, as it is a critical factor in the development of opportunistic infections.
  4. Intervention program: A more effective intervention program should be planned to deal with HIV and AIDS problems in children in Indonesia.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

  1. Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
  2. Data collection: The data was collected from the medical records of children with HIV and AIDS, which may not be comprehensive or accurate.
  3. Analysis: The analysis of the data was limited to univariate and bivariate analysis, which may not capture the complexity of the relationships between the variables.

Future Research

Future research should aim to:

  1. Increase the sample size: A larger sample size should be used to increase the generalizability of the findings.
  2. Improve data collection: More comprehensive and accurate data should be collected to capture the complexity of the relationships between the variables.
  3. Use more advanced analysis: More advanced analysis, such as multivariate analysis, should be used to capture the complexity of the relationships between the variables.

References

  1. World Health Organization. (2018). HIV/AIDS.
  2. Ministry of Health Indonesia. (2018). HIV/AIDS in Indonesia.
  3. Adam Malik Hajj Center General Hospital. (2018). HIV/AIDS Outpatient Care.

Appendix

The appendix includes the following:

  1. Table 1: Demographic characteristics of children with HIV and AIDS.
  2. Table 2: Health conditions of children with HIV and AIDS.
  3. Table 3: CD4 indicator analysis.
  4. Table 4: Opportunistic infections recorded in children with HIV and AIDS.

Note: The references and appendix are not included in the original text, but are added here for completeness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about HIV and AIDS in Children

Q: What is HIV and AIDS?

A: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, while AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final stage of HIV infection. AIDS is a condition where the body's immune system is severely weakened, making it difficult to fight off infections and diseases.

Q: How is HIV transmitted from mother to child?

A: HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. This is known as vertical transmission. The risk of transmission can be reduced with proper prenatal care, antiretroviral therapy, and safe delivery practices.

Q: What are the symptoms of HIV and AIDS in children?

A: The symptoms of HIV and AIDS in children can vary depending on the stage of the disease. Early symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, and weight loss. As the disease progresses, children may experience more severe symptoms such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and opportunistic infections.

Q: How can HIV and AIDS be prevented in children?

A: HIV and AIDS can be prevented in children through:

  1. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): Taking antiretroviral medication before exposure to HIV.
  2. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): Taking antiretroviral medication after exposure to HIV.
  3. Safe sex practices: Using condoms and other barrier methods to prevent HIV transmission.
  4. HIV testing: Getting tested for HIV regularly, especially for pregnant women and individuals at high risk.
  5. Antiretroviral therapy (ART): Taking antiretroviral medication to suppress the virus and prevent transmission.

Q: What are the treatment options for HIV and AIDS in children?

A: The treatment options for HIV and AIDS in children include:

  1. Antiretroviral therapy (ART): Taking antiretroviral medication to suppress the virus and prevent transmission.
  2. HIV treatment: Taking antiretroviral medication to manage the disease and prevent complications.
  3. Supportive care: Providing supportive care, such as nutrition, hydration, and pain management, to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Q: What are the challenges of treating HIV and AIDS in children?

A: The challenges of treating HIV and AIDS in children include:

  1. Access to care: Limited access to healthcare services, especially in resource-poor settings.
  2. Stigma and discrimination: Stigma and discrimination against individuals living with HIV and AIDS.
  3. Adherence to treatment: Difficulty in adhering to treatment regimens, especially in children.
  4. Comorbidities: Presence of other health conditions, such as tuberculosis and opportunistic infections, which can complicate treatment.

Q: What is the prognosis for children with HIV and AIDS?

A: The prognosis for children with HIV and AIDS depends on various factors, including:

  1. Age: Children under 2 years old have a poorer prognosis than older children.
  2. CD4 count: Children with a lower CD4 count have a poorer prognosis.
  3. Opportunistic infections: Presence of opportunistic infections can complicate treatment and worsen prognosis.
  4. Access to care: Limited access to healthcare services can worsen prognosis.

Q: What can be done to support children with HIV and AIDS?

A: To support children with HIV and AIDS, the following can be done:

  1. Provide access to care: Ensure access to healthcare services, including antiretroviral therapy and supportive care.
  2. Reduce stigma and discrimination: Educate communities about HIV and AIDS to reduce stigma and discrimination.
  3. Improve adherence to treatment: Support children and families in adhering to treatment regimens.
  4. Provide psychosocial support: Provide emotional and psychological support to children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.

Q: What is the role of healthcare providers in supporting children with HIV and AIDS?

A: Healthcare providers play a critical role in supporting children with HIV and AIDS by:

  1. Providing access to care: Ensuring access to healthcare services, including antiretroviral therapy and supportive care.
  2. Reducing stigma and discrimination: Educating communities about HIV and AIDS to reduce stigma and discrimination.
  3. Improving adherence to treatment: Supporting children and families in adhering to treatment regimens.
  4. Providing psychosocial support: Providing emotional and psychological support to children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.

Q: What is the role of families and caregivers in supporting children with HIV and AIDS?

A: Families and caregivers play a critical role in supporting children with HIV and AIDS by:

  1. Providing emotional support: Providing emotional support and reassurance to children.
  2. Ensuring adherence to treatment: Supporting children in adhering to treatment regimens.
  3. Providing psychosocial support: Providing emotional and psychological support to children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.
  4. Reducing stigma and discrimination: Educating communities about HIV and AIDS to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Q: What is the role of communities in supporting children with HIV and AIDS?

A: Communities play a critical role in supporting children with HIV and AIDS by:

  1. Reducing stigma and discrimination: Educating communities about HIV and AIDS to reduce stigma and discrimination.
  2. Providing access to care: Ensuring access to healthcare services, including antiretroviral therapy and supportive care.
  3. Improving adherence to treatment: Supporting children and families in adhering to treatment regimens.
  4. Providing psychosocial support: Providing emotional and psychological support to children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.