Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Antiretroviral Therapy: Level of Adherence and Its Determinants Among Patients on Treatment in Different Health Facilities. A Cross Sectional Study in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Tolossa E Chaka, Sileshi G Abeya, Abebe M Adlo, Tilaye W Abebe, Shalo D Hamuse, Mihretu T Lencha and Zelalem H Jemal

Background: HIV/AIDS pandemic is the world’s most deadly disease that has killed more than 25 million people so far. Appropriate antiretroviral viral treatment (ART) reduces mortality and morbidity and enhances quality of life. Adherence to both follow up clinics and drugs is crucial to this effect. Objective: To assess level of adherence to antiretroviral treatment and its determinants among patients on ART in Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used. For the study purpose, the region was divided into four strata so that different socioeconomic characteristics of the study population will be represented. List of health facilities that had a case load of >500 patients across the strata was used as sampling frame and health facilities were randomly selected. The Sample size was proportionally assigned to health facilities and every other patient visiting the selected health facility was included and a total of 1632 study participants (age 15 years and above) were interviewed. The patients’ follow up chart was used to extract baseline clinical data. Epi Info 7 was used for data entry and analyzed using SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics were used to determine sociodemographic characteristics and level of adherence. Logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of adherence. Results: Ninety seven percent of patients had good adherence to ART. Factors associated with better adherence were housewives (AOR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.30, 19.98), baseline CD4 count <350 cells/ml (AOR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.34) and patients free of addictive substances (AOR: 7.42; 95% CI: 1.46, 37.81). Significant proportions of patients believe that worshiping and holy water (“Tsebel”) can cure HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The vast majority (97%) of the respondents were in optimum adherence to the treatment. Various factors were associated with optimum adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Knowledge and attitude of PLWHA towards ART should be addressed carefully.