ART Adherence Among People Living with HIV Seeking Services from Public Health Facilities in Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Background The burden of COVID-19 is more severe among the elderly and patients affected with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and HIV/AIDS. There is no study regarding the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) during the time of COVID-19 in Ethiopia. So, this study aimed to assess the level of HIV positive patient’s adherence to ART treatment and associated factors in Nekemte public health facilities, Western Ethiopia. Methods This study was conducted in Nekemte public health facilities, Western Ethiopia from August 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed among HIV positive patients on ART treatment. A single proportion formula was used to calculate a sample size of 384 . A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the sample population. Face-to-face interview questionnaires were used during data collection. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with dependent factor, and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to estimate the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. Results A total of 361 HIV positive patients have participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 94%. The mean age of the participants was 33.8 (SD ±9.8) years. Seventy-seven (21.3%) HIV-positive patients had not adhered to ART follow-up. The study found that living in rural areas (AOR=3.37, 95% CI=1.80–6.24), age less than 25 years (AOR=3.41, 95% CI=1.26–9.21), and substance use (AOR=5.42, 95% CI=1.8–16.29) were independent predictors of poor adherence to ART. Conclusion Generally, non-adherence to antiretroviral treatment among people living with HIV during the pandemic outbreak was high in the study area. A home-based delivery of ART treatment and improving retention mechanism during pandemics is highly recommended for concerned bodies. In addition, counseling on avoidance of substance use should be strengthened to increase retention on treatment.

Factors associated with anti-retroviral therapy adherence among patients living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

“…In this study, older age (≥34-year old) was not associated with high ART adherence (AOR = 2.108; 95% CI: 0.703–6.319, p = 0.183). On the other hand, Tolossa et al ( 24 ) reported that the odds of non-adherence to ART were 3.41 times higher among patients younger than 25 years as compared to their counterpart (OR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.26–9.21) ( 24 ).…”

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV service delivery and viral suppression: Findings from the SHARP program in Northern Nigeria

“…Women have been known to have better health seeking behaviour [ 44 , 45 ] and better adherence to treatment than men [ 46 ] which would consequently lead to improved viral suppression [ 47 ]. Similarly, adults have been shown to be more likely to be adherent to ART compared to adolescents and young persons [ 48 – 50 ], while MMD and community-based ART models are proven strategies for improving ART adherence [ 22 , 23 , 32 ]. Targeted program interventions to these affected socio-demographics may enhance viral suppression.…”

Virological failure and its predictors among human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals on second line antiretroviral treatment in North‐East Ethiopia, 2021

“…45 A study from Ethiopia also showed the risk of developing TF was higher among young age groups. 43 This could be due to the high association between younger age and poor drug adherence 46,47 which might lead to the least viral suppression. 29,47 A study from Gondar-Ethiopia showed there is no association between the age of patients with SLART failure.…”