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Malawi Medical Journal
College of Medicine, University of Malawi and Medical Association of Malawi
ISSN: 1995-7262
Vol. 29, No. 3, 2017, pp. 237-239
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Bioline Code: mm17049
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Malawi Medical Journal, Vol. 29, No. 3, 2017, pp. 237-239
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Bedside paediatric HIV testing in Malawi: Impact on testing rates
Macken, Marita; Chan, James; O’Hare, Bernadette; Thornton, Hannah V.; Dube, Queen & Kennedy, Neil
Abstract
Background: Provider initiated testing and counselling (PITC) is recommended for all inpatients in Malawi if they have not been tested in the
previous 3 months. However testing rates remain low among children. We audited the effect of implementing a bedside diagnostic HIV
testing service to determine if it would improve testing rates amongst paediatric inpatients.
Methods: We audited the existing HIV testing service to determine the numbers of children being tested for HIV. This was followed by the
introduction of a bedside diagnostic service followed by re-audit. Bedside testing was facilitated by health systems strengthening
measures including identification of suitable counsellors, appropriate supervision and remuneration.
Results: In the initial audit in March-April 2014, 85 (63%) of 135 children had documented HIV tests.. Following implementation of the
bedside HIV testing service, there was a significant increase in the proportion of children whose HIV status was known. On re-audit
in July 2015, 110 (94.8%) of 116 children had documented HIV tests (p<0.001). Of those with documented tests, 94.5% had been
tested within the last 3-months compared to 61% in 2014. Following the introduction of the service, the proportion of children tested
for HIV during admission increased from 31.9% to 68.1% (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Implementation of a bedside testing service at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital significantly increased HIV testing among paediatric
inpatients. This has important implications in establishing earlier treatment, reducing HIV-associated morbidity and mortality.
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© Copyright 2017 - The College of Medicine and the Medical Association of Malawi. Alternative site location: http://revista.uft.edu.br/index.php/jbb/index
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