Our study attempted to identify personal (patient-related) factors influencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A quantitative, descriptive design was used. Structured interviews were conducted with 355 HIV-infected patients on ART. The findings revealed that stigma, discrimination, depression, and alcohol use negatively affected patients' ART adherence levels. However, patients' knowledge levels had no influence on their ART adherence levels, contrary to other researchers' reports. Addressing stigma and discrimination at community levels might enhance patients' abilities to take their medications in the presence of others. Health care professionals should be educated to diagnose and treat depression in patients during the early stages of ART administration. Patients who are nonadherent to ART should be counseled about potential alcohol abuse. Stigma-related challenges also need to be addressed.

BackgroundThis article assessed maternal and neonatal outcomes amongst users of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ObjectivesThe study aimed to assess the health outcomes (antiretroviral prophylaxis versus antiretroviral treatment, CD4 counts, World Health Organization (WHO) stages of illness, other illnesses) of women who had used these services, as well as the HIV status of their babies and the infant feeding method adopted.MethodsA quantitative, cross sectional, retrospective cohort design was used. Document reviews were conducted with a sample of 384 mother-infant pairs (out of a population of 796) who had used PMTCT services.ResultsAll respondents were using prophylactic antiretrovirals or antiretroviral therapy, but some were on the wrong treatment based on their CD4 counts. The CD4 counts increased four times more for women on antiretroviral treatment than for those on prophylactic antiretrovirals. The WHO’s stages of HIV illness did not improve but deteriorated in some cases, and 52 other illnesses were recorded. Out of the 384 infants, 6.0% (n = 23) were HIV-positive. Most respondents opted for exclusive breast feeding but some used mixed feeding during the first six months of their infants’ lives, despite having received health education related to infant feeding options.ConclusionThe respondents’ improved CD4 counts were inadequate to improve their World Health Organization stages of HIV illness. Some babies received mixed feeding during the first six months of their lives and 6% of the babies were HIV-positive despite their mothers’ utilisation of PMTCT services.

Background: Birth is a critical time for the mother and fetus. In Ethiopia rates of new born morbidity and mortality are among the highest in the world. Even though many African mothers including Ethiopian mothers' pregnancies are ending up in perinatal mortality, little was investigated to identify the associated factors. Methodology:A facility based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in July, 2015 in Wolaita Sodo University teaching and referral Hospital by collecting data through record review of all women who gave birth at the hospital within the past one year preceding the survey. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 300 subjects. Epi-data version 1.4.4.0 and SPSS version 20 were used to enter and analyze data respectively. Proportions and means were used to describe the study population by explanatory variables whereas; Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the candidate and predictor variables respectively. All statistical tests were considered significant at alpha <0.05. Result:Among the 300 mothers who delivered their index child at Wolaita Sodo University teaching and referral hospital, 52(17.3%) of them had a dead perinatal outcome. Antenatal care visit, obstructed labor, referral from other health facility, cord prolapse, preeclampsia and birth weight were identified as predictors of perinatal outcome. Conclusion:Perinatal death in Wolaita Sodo referral hospital is tremendously high, which seeks a due attention. Hence, to avert the situation, improvement in antenatal care service (supported with ultrasound examination); improving obstetrics care; and early diagnosis and appropriate management of severely asphyxiated fetus at the time of delivery could reduce the prevalence. Easily accessible health facilities (which provide comprehensive essential and emergency obstetric services) could reduce perinatal death attributable to referral related causes. Besides, to have a safe delivery, health facilities should give due attention to the use of partograph.

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Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) can be prevented when HIV-positive pregnant women use effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services. Approximately 50% of HIV-positive pregnant women used free PMTCT services in Ethiopia.Aim: This study attempted to identify factors influencing women's utilisation of PMTCT services. Addressing such factors could enable more Ethiopian women to use PMTCT services. The study investigated whether women's utilisation of services was affected by sociodemographic issues, their partners' known HIV status, disclosure of their HIV-positive status, stigma and discrimination, and satisfaction with services.Setting: Prenatal clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was used and 384 questionnaires were completed by women who used PMTCT services in Addis Ababa. Results:No socio-demographic characteristic prevented women's utilisation of PMTCT services, nor did stigma, discrimination or disclosure of their HIV-positive status. Most respondents' partners with unknown HIV status did not know that the respondents used PMTCT services. Most women were satisfied with the PMTCT services.Conclusions: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission services should remain accessible to all HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. Concurrent HIV partner testing should be encouraged with appropriate counselling. HIV-positive pregnant women should be encouraged to disclose their status to their partners so that they need not use PMTCT services secretly. Patients' high levels of satisfaction with PMTCT services are a good indicator for rolling out PMTCT initiatives at other facilities. Future research should focus on HIV-positive pregnant women who do not use PMTCT services.