DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HIV-INFECTED CHILDREN IN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES OF GUJI, AND BORENA ZONES, OROMIA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Early childhood period is the most important developmental phase in life because it indicates the advancement of the child in all areas of human functioning. The human immunodeficiency virus is neurotropic and invasion of the developing child's brain which results in significant developmentaldelays.The lack of an estimate on the developmental delays among HIV-infected infants and children could hinder early identification and early intervention services. Thus, this study was assessed the developmental status of HIV-infected children and theirrelated factors. Objective: To determine the magnitude of developmental delay and associated factors among HIV-infected children at public hospitals in Guji and Borena zones, Oromia, Southern Ethiopia. Methods and materials: A facility-basedcross-sectional studywas conducted among 422 HIV infected children from 30 October to 30 December 2021. The study participants were selected using simple random sampling techniques.Children's developmental delay was assessed by Age and stage questionnaires version three and anthropometric measurement was taken to assess nutritional status. Data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14.2 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were done. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the strength of association between dependent and independent variables. In all analyses, P value<0.05was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 413 study participants were included in the study with a 97.9% response rate. The magnitude of global developmental delay among HIV-infected children was 41.9% (95%CI (37%-47%). Maternal age 35 and above [AOR=2.2; 95% CI (1.112-4.3)], High school education [AOR=0.47; 95% CI (0.23-0.96)], birth order fourth and above [AOR=0.28; 95% CI (0.144- 0.54)], and stunting [AOR=2.2; 95% CI(1.4-3.42)] were associate to global developmental delay. Conclusion:Developmental delays in HIV-infected children were high in the study setting.Maternal age and education status,stunting, and 4th and above birth orderwere factorsrelated to the global developmental delay.Further screening of developmental delays in children and intervention with those children who exhibit delayed development is very important.