Evulation of the introduction of peadiatric ARV tablet formulation compared to liquid formulation for infants attending TASO Tororo clinic
Background: According to UNAIDS approximately 2.1 millions children are infected with HIV. An estimated 15000 to 20000 children in developing countries are receiving ART of the estimated 660000 who need it.
in 2004 TASO Tororo embarked on peadiatric ART which mainly included liquid formulations ie syrups. Reports have further indicated major challenges with peadiatric drug options for resource limited setting which include, adherence to liquid formulations, treatment fatigue with long life therapy, forecasting and procurement of peadiatrics formulations due to limited data and funding.
Methodology: Aretrosepective cohort study of 200 children on ART aged 6-12 months with follow up period of 6 months was done . 100 infants were put on syrups while other 100 were put on tablet formulations. They were followed ,interacted with while the care giver were interviewed, data was colleted using questioner and focus group discussions.
Results: From TASO Tororo medical informations system(MIS) average adherence level for children on tablets was 98% while 60% on liquid formulation. From the discussions 90%(n=90) of the care giver reported relief from bulkiness of these syrups, 60%(n=60) reported easier swallowing of tablets compared to liquid formulation . 50% said it was easier to understand the instructions on tablet compared to syrups. Then we realised that most of the syrups were being wasted after the follow ups we made,and through the discussions we observed that about 40% of the syrups were wasted due to poor calcultions by the dispensers or even the care givers who measure wrong quantities.
Conclusion: In resource limited settings tablets formulations ie fixed dose combinations (FDC) are better compared to liquid formulations as they easier to give and associted with better adherence than others.
J. Paalo1, J. Magona2, and Children of Age 6-12 Months
1Baylor College of Medicine-Children's Foundation, Medical, Kampala, Uganda, 2TASO Tororo, Medical, Tororo, Uganda