Closing the Gap in Pediatric HIV Case Finding: A Review of the PASS Strategy in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Achieving optimal treatment for all groups of individuals living with HIV is essential to attaining epidemic control. About 191,395 children and adolescents under 19 are living with HIV (C/ALHIV) with only 46,461 (24%) on treatment in Nigeria. In order to close this treatment gap, the pediatric ART saturation strategy (PASS), was developed between care and treatment team and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) team to ensure identification and treatment of C/ALHIV and return of children who were lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) in the cascade of care back to HIV treatment.