HIV virological non-suppression and its associated factors amongst children on antiretroviral therapy at a major paediatric treatment centre in Southern Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection require lifelong effective Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The aim of ART in HIV-infected persons is sustained viral suppression. There is limited information on virological non-suppression or failure and its associated factors in children in resource limited countries, particularly Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study of 250 children aged 8 months to 15 years who had been on ART for at least 6 months attending the Paediatric HIV clinic at Korle Bu Teaching hospital in Ghana was performed. Socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory and ART Adherence related data were collected using questionnaires as well as medical records. Blood samples were obtained for viral load and CD4 + count determination. Viral load levels > 1000 copies/ml on ART was considered virological non-suppression. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with virological non-suppression. Results The mean (± SD) age of the study participants was 11.4 ± 2.4 years and the proportion of males was 53.2%. Of the 250 study participants, 96 (38.4%) had virological non-suppression. After adjustment for significant variables, the factors associated with non-suppressed viral load were female gender (AOR 2.51 [95% CI 1.04–6.07], p = 0.041), having a previous history of treatment of tuberculosis (AOR 4.95 [95% CI 1.58–15.5], p = 0.006), severe CD4 immune suppression status (CD4% < 15% / CD4 + count < 200 cells/mm 3 ) at study recruitment (AOR 24.93 [95% CI 4.92-126.31], p < 0.001) and being on a Nevirapine based regimen (AOR 7.93 [95% CI 1.58–1.15], p = 0.005). Conclusion The prevelance of virological non-suppression was high. Virological non-suppression was associated with a previous history of TB treatment, female gender, severe CD4 immune suppression status (CD4% <15% / CD4 + count < 200 cells/mm 3 ), at study recruitment and being on a Nevirapine based regimen. Early initiation of ART and phasing out Nevirapine based regimen might improve viral load suppression in children. In addition, children with a history of TB may need focused measures to maximize virological suppression.