Different factors associated with loss to follow-up of infants born to HIV-infected or uninfected mothers: observations from the ANRS 12140-PEDIACAM study in Cameroon

Larissa Kamgue Sidze (1, 2) , Albert Faye (3, 4) , Suzie Ndiang Tetang (5) , Ida Penda (6, 7) , Georgette Guemkam (8) , Francis Ndongo Ateba (8) , Jean Audrey Ndongo (8) , Félicité Nguefack (8, 9) , Gaëtan Texier (10, 2) , Patrice Tchendjou (2, 1) , Anfumbom Kfutwah (11) , Josiane Warszawski (12, 13, 14) , Mathurin Cyrille Tejiokem (2, 13)

1 ISPED - Institut de Santé Publique, d'Epidémiologie et de Développement
2 Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique
3 AP-HP - Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)
4 UPD7 - Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7
5 Service de Pédiatrie
6 Hôpital de Jour
7 Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences Pharmaceutiques
8 Centre Mère et Enfant de la Fondation Chantal Biya
9 Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences Biomédicales
10 SESSTIM - U912 INSERM - Aix Marseille Univ - IRD - Sciences Economiques et Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l'Information Médicale
11 Centre Pasteur du Cameroun
12 UP11 UFR Médecine - Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 - Faculté de médecine
13 CESP - Centre de recherche en épidémiologie et santé des populations
14 Service d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique

Background: Loss to follow-up (LTFU) is a cause of potential bias in clinical studies. Differing LTFU between study groups may affect internal validity and generalizability of the results. Understanding reasons for LTFU could help improve follow-up in clinical studies and thereby contribute to goals for prevention, treatment, or research being achieved. We explored factors associated with LTFU of mother-child pairs after inclusion in the ANRS 12140-Pediacam study. Methods: From November 2007 to October 2010, 4104 infants including 2053 born to HIV-infected mothers and 2051 born to HIV-uninfected mothers matched individually on gender and study site were enrolled during the first week of life in three referral hospitals in Cameroon and scheduled for visits at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. Visits were designated 1, 2 and 3, in chronological order, irrespective of the child's age at the time of the visit. Mother-child pairs were considered lost to follow-up if they never returned for a clinical visit within the first six months after inclusion. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression were adjusted on matching variables to identify factors associated with LTFU according to maternal HIV status. Results: LTFU among HIV-unexposed infants was four times higher than among HIV-exposed infants (36.7% vs 9.8%, p < 0.001). Emergency caesarean section (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.46 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.47-4.13]), young maternal age (aOR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.18-4.46]), and absence of antiretroviral treatment for prophylaxis (aOR = 3.45, 95% CI [2.30-5.19]) were independently associated with LTFU among HIV-exposed infants. Factors associated with LTFU among HIV-unexposed infants included young maternal age (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI [1.36-2.81]), low maternal education level (aOR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.95-3.95]) and housewife/unemployed mothers (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.16-2.11]). Conclusion: Failure to return for at least one scheduled clinical visit is a problem especially among HIV-unexposed infants included in studies involving HIV-exposed infants. Factors associated with this type of LTFU included maternal characteristics, socio-economic status, quality of antenatal care and obstetrical context of delivery. Enhanced counselling in antenatal and intrapartum services is required for mothers at high risk of failure to return for follow-up visits.

Mots clés: Loss to follow-up; Failed to return for scheduled clinical visits; Associated factors; Cohorts of HIV-exposed and -unexposed infants; TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION; EXPOSED CHILDREN; ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY; RANDOMIZED-TRIALS; WESTERN KENYA; RURAL MALAWI; PREVENTION; PROGRAM; OUTCOMES; COHORT

Domaines: Médecine humaine et pathologie

Larissa Kamgue Sidze, Albert Faye, Suzie Ndiang Tetang, Ida Penda, Georgette Guemkam, et al.. Different factors associated with loss to follow-up of infants born to HIV-infected or uninfected mothers: observations from the ANRS 12140-PEDIACAM study in Cameroon. BMC Public Health, 2015, 15 (228), ⟨10.1186/s12889-015-1555-2⟩. ⟨hal-01218361⟩