BIPAI Uganda performs clinical research under stringent
standards and its findings contribute to worldwide best practices of pediatric
HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
The ARROW Trial and the Cohort studies continue with the
longest attending study participants at week 165 and 291 respectively. The trial has undertaken new randomizations
to stop or continue cotrimoxazole and once verses twice daily Abacavir +
Lamivudine which when completed are hoped to further improve adherence of
children to their life-long ART. The cohort study is now assembling an infant
cohort starting HAART as per the current Uganda Ministry of Health and WHO
guidelines.
The Adolescent intervention study has completed the first
phase of developing the pilot intervention tailored to the needs of YPLH in
Uganda and will proceed to evaluate the intervention among them.
Additional research recently completed at BIPAI Uganda
includes:
- Evaluation of the T-Spot TB test in the
diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected children in Uganda
- HIV-associated malignancies among children attending the BIPAI Uganda COE in Kampala, Uganda
- Association between anthropometric status and dietary diversity of complementary feeding among infants born to HIV-infected
mothers in Uganda
- Formative evaluation of nutrition care and support interventions for children exposed to and infected with HIV and
AIDS at BIPAI Uganda
In the coming year, BIPAI Uganda will begin a new trial, CHAPAS
3 (Children with HIV in Africa -Pharmacokinetics Adherence/Acceptability of
Simple Antiretroviral regimens), at the COE and University Teaching Hospital in
Zambia.
This trial will compare the pharmacokinetics, toxicity,
acceptability, adherence, virological efficacy and cost-effectiveness of three
first-line antiretroviral regimens. Both previously untreated (ARV naïve) and
experienced (who have already been receiving stavudine based regimens) children
ages 1 month to 13 years with undetectable viral load will be recruited. A
total of 420 children (140 per site)will be recruited over a period of eighteen
months and followed for a minimum of ninety six weeks
Documentary updated
A sequel to the “Living with Slim: Kids talk about HIV/AIDS”
documentary originally produced in 2004 was produced recently with six of the
seven children originally featured in the film. The film highlights the
impact/effect antiretroviral therapy has had on their lives and shows that they
can achieve their dreams.
Baseline nutritional survey
The survey aimed to establish the nutritional status of all
children; and the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices of caretakers
attending participating BIPAI Uganda sites in Kampala and Kaberamaido
districts. The study showed that 12% were moderately to severely malnourished
while 10% were underweight.