Journal of Tropical Diseases & Public Health

Abstract

Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment and Associated Factors among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Northwest Ethiopia

Sebsibe Tadesse, Ayaleneh Tadesse and Mamo Wubshet

Introduction: Measurement of adherence to antiretroviral treatment is extremely important, especially for people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries. The present study has determined the level of adherence to antiretroviral treatment and identified associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in South Gondar Zone, northwest Ethiopia. Methods and Materials: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at 6 health centers in South Gondar Zone from June to October 2013. Six hundred forty-seven HIV patients aged ≥18 years and were on antiretroviral treatment for more than one month was included in the study. Adherence was defined as taking 95% of the prescribed doses in the three days prior to the survey. Data were collected by using a pre-tested and structured interview questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 20. Multivariable analyses were employed to see the effect of explanatory variables on dependent variable. Results: The level of adherence to antiretroviral treatment was 85.3%. Use of memory aid [AOR: 3.7, 95%CI: (1.3-10.7)], satisfaction with clinical change [AOR: 3.7, 95%CI: (1.4-9.8)], fitness of single drug regimen with daily routine [AOR: 2.4, 95%CI: (1.4-4.2)], and experience of drug side effects [AOR: 0.3, 95%CI: (0.2-0.5)] were factors significantly associated with adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Conclusion: In this study a relatively higher adherence rate was reported compared to other studies in developing countries. Interventions to promote adherence should focus on areas, such as revising drug regimen and medication schedules, promoting use of different memory aids, like alarm watches and mobile bells, dealing with drug side effects, and patient counseling.