By Bunmi Yekini
A new field report by the IMPAACT4HIV Consortium has raised concerns over major gaps in awareness, diagnosis and treatment of Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) among children and adolescents in four Nigerian states, warning that stigma and weak health systems are contributing to preventable deaths.
The community-led study, conducted in Kano, Gombe, Rivers and Lagos states, involved focus group discussions and interviews with caregivers and health workers to assess knowledge and management of advanced HIV among young people.
Researchers said the findings point to persistent stigma, limited health resources and systemic weaknesses that allow HIV infections among children and adolescents to progress to dangerous stages before treatment begins.
Dr. Patrick Ikani, Chief Operations Officer at the Institute of Social Change Development, said some adolescents abandoned treatment due to stigma, while others were left without care after losing caregivers who were aware of their HIV status.
“By the time some children reached health facilities, the virus had progressed to a dangerous stage,” Ikani said.
Advanced HIV Disease occurs when the virus progresses without effective treatment, weakening the immune system and leaving patients vulnerable to life-threatening opportunistic infections.
Dr. Ramatu Garba, Executive Director of Support for Women and Teenage Children (SWATCH), said such infections commonly include tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis.
She said early diagnosis, consistent treatment and strong caregiver support are critical in preventing patients from developing advanced HIV disease.
The study found that awareness of AHD remained low among both caregivers and adolescents in the four states surveyed.
In Rivers state, more than 60% of respondents had little understanding of the warning signs associated with advanced HIV disease, according to the report.
Dr. Danjuma Abdullahi said stigma surrounding HIV infection also pushed some patients to seek herbal remedies instead of medical treatment, contributing to avoidable complications and deaths.
Researchers also reported shortages of essential diagnostic tools needed to detect advanced HIV disease early. In addition, the absence of dedicated state-level policies for AHD management was found to be contributing to fragmented care for affected patients.
Despite these challenges, the report noted some progress in Lagos state, where 95% of caregivers expressed satisfaction with paediatric HIV services.
The IMPAACT4HIV Consortium called on governments, donors and civil society organisations to strengthen national and state responses to advanced HIV disease.
Among its recommendations were the development of AHD-specific policies, improved adolescent-friendly health services, stronger supply chains for diagnostic tools, and expanded community awareness campaigns.
Researchers said such measures are necessary to prevent further loss of young lives and improve outcomes for children and adolescents living with HIV.
Source: Daily Trust