Evidence

This research contains results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on symptom screening algorithms to identify children eligible for further HIV testing in generalized epidemics.The research examines the efficacy of HIV screening tools, determines changes required in screening methods and finally, determines whether risk-screening is a cost-effective approach for HIV case finding. Early detection of at-risk children is essential to providing linkage to care and facilitating antiretroviral therapy initiation. In 2018, children accounted for 10% of new HIV infections globally, yet only 54% of children living with HIV were on antiretroviral therapy, compared with 62% of adults and 82% of pregnant women. The study concludes that current screening algorithms that risk stratify patients to determine need for HIV testing showed only moderate sensitivity and specificity and missed a substantial number of HIV-infected children, especially in high-prevalence contexts (inpatient wards). This research can assist program implementers in choosing screening tools for detection of paediatric HIV. 

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