1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
2 Center of Excellence for the Care of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi,Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
3 Laboratory of the University Clinics of Lubumbashi, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
4 Etre Toujours Meilleure Psychology pratice, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
5 Department of Neuropsychiatry, Tertiary Public Reference Hospital Jason Sendwe, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 27(03), 1781-1788
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2025.27.3.3270
Received on 19 August 2025; revised on 25 September 2025; accepted on 27 September 2025
Introduction: Treatment adherence among children living with HIV is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, pediatric antiretroviral therapy coverage remains low, with marked disparities related to sex, parental status, and age.
Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Center of Excellence of the University of Lubumbashi, covering 158 medical records of children aged 2 to 14 years under ARV treatment between 2015 and 2020. Sociodemographic, clinical and virological variables were analyzed, and statistical tests (chi-square, Student, multivariate regression) were used to identify the determinants of adherence.
Results: The study revealed treatment interruption in 19% of cases, more frequent in boys (21.1%) and in children with undetermined parental status (33.3%). Adolescent girls (11–15 years) were overrepresented (43%) but had better viral suppression. Conversely, boys showed a higher prevalence of detectable viral loads. The absence of virological data correlated with a more frequent treatment interruption (33.3%), reflecting possible undocumented losses to follow-up or deaths.
Conclusion: Pediatric treatment adherence is influenced by complex factors, including gender, psychosocial context, and follow-up regularity. Gender-differentiated interventions, supported by community programs, are essential to improve retention in care and ensure long-term therapeutic effectiveness.
Treatment Adherence; Pediatric HIV; Treatment Adherence; Treatment Interruption; Parental Status
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LOKOTSHE KANYAMA Astrid, MANDA MUKENDI Dodo, TSHIBANGU MANYONGA Emmanuel, MBUYAMBA MUTOMBO Nathalie, NYEMBO LUKAMBA Jerome, KALUMBA KAMBOTE Athy, ELO MBOBA David, PANSHI WA PANSHI Odon, KANDJA LWAMBA Guy, MASONGA MADIKA Salvatrice, KANSANS TSHINENGO Franck, KANKU KAZIBALE Bijou, KABIKA YANTAMBWE Elie, NDJIBU EBONDO Jirene, MAKOY NGINDU Erick, LUBELANU NKANZA Didier, BANZA MONGA Djo, KASAMBA ILUNGA Eric, MAZONO MBANG Pierre and LUNGU ANZWAL Philomène. Adherence to antiretroviral treatment in children at the Center of Excellence for the care of people living with HIV/AIDS at the University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 27(03), 1781-1788. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.27.3.3270.
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