Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, vertical HIV transmission has been
decreased; this may increase fertility desire of HIV infected women that leads to increase in the
number of children born from HIV positive mother. Children born from HIV positive mother may have
high probability of mortality. However, studies on mortality rate of HIV exposed children in the study
area were very limited. Therefore, the result of this study can be important baseline information for
policy makers.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess child mortality rate and its predictors among
under 18-month children born from Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive mother at Gondar
University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, from July 2013- December 2017.
Method: Institution based retrospective follow-up study was conducted. Simple random sampling
technique was employed to select study participants. Data were collected by using pre-tested data
extraction form and entered into EPI info version 7.2.2.6 and then exported to SPSS version 20 and
STAT version 14. Kaplan–Meier survival curves was used to show probability of mortality rate. Binary
and multivariable cox regression model was used to identify predictors of mortality. P-value ?0.2 in
the binary analysis was entered into the multivariable model. Adjusted Hazard ratio with 95 %
confidence interval
Result: Among 423 total sample, 408 children were analyzed. overall mortality rate was 0.74
Conclusion and Recommendation: Child mortality rate was high among children born from HIV
positive mother associated with low birth weight, growth failure, infection, non-exclusive breast
feeding and lost their parent. Therefore, it would be better to focus on maternal health and nutrition in
antenatal and post-natal period.
Keywords: Children, Mortality, Predictors, HIV, HIV exposed, Gondar, Ethiopia
