Disease profile, HIV prevalence and vaccination status of HIV-infected children admitted at a hospital complex, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Despite the availability of vertical transmission prevention, treatment, and immunisation programmes for better health outcomes, children are still infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Those accessing treatment are either virally unsuppressed or have severe forms of diseases, while others have missed opportunities for vaccination. HIV infected children are vulnerable to infections, re-hospitalisation, and missing vaccinations. The study determined the disease profile, HIV prevalence, readmission, and immunisation status of children admitted to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Northern Cape Province, South Africa. This was a retrospective review of 328 medical records of children less than 14 years, admitted from January 2017 to January 2018. The mean age was 3.6 years, and the majority were females. Most children presented with appetite loss and fatigue, and the most common admission diagnoses were lower respiratory tract infection and acute gastroenteritis. The prevalence of HIV in this group was 24%. Over 50% were readmitted, and 17% of those were HIV positive. Most HIV positive children (62%) had missed vaccinations, predominantly measles, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Older children, those infected with HIV, and those who had missed the measles vaccine were significantly associated with readmission. Children of mothers with higher educational status who were either single or married were less likely to be readmitted compared to those with a lower education level and divorced parents. The rate of readmission is relatively high; therefore, improving care and scaling up catch-up immunisations for children, especially among HIV-infected, may offer them better protection and outcomes against vaccine-preventable diseases considering their risk for incomplete immunisation and infectious diseases.