Survival rate of HIV-infected children after initiation of the antiretroviral therapy and its predictors in Ethiopia: A facility-based retrospective cohort.

Mortality of children on antiretroviral therapy was high. The risk of mortality is increased if the child was underweight at the commencement of antiretroviral therapy, had lower baseline CD4 count, had poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy and had no psychosocial support. Concerned stakeholders should focus on antiretroviral therapy adherence, nutritional interventions, psychological support and early initiation of antiretroviral therapy regardless of their CD4 count to enhance survival of HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy.