Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Among People Living with HIV (PLHIV): A Cross-Sectional Survey to Measure in Selected Public Hospital of Addis Ababa

Abstract

In Ethiopia, people with HIV receive free antiretroviral therapy (ART). Adherence to ART is very important for people with HIV, because if they don't take their medicines, they can spread HIV to other people. This study aimed to find out how many people living with HIV in Addis Ababa were adherent to their ART. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected HIV positive adults receiving free ART from March to May2020 at Addis Ababa Public Hospitals. Three hundreds and eighty two People Living with HIV were interviewed using an anonymous questionnaire. The adherence rate estimates are based on the information provided by the HIV-infected people about medications they have taken in the previous four days. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 statistical software. Frequencies, ratios, mean and standard deviation were calculated and used to illustrate the studies. Data were presented in the form of tables and graph. To assess the relationship of independent variables with ART adherence, bivariate and data analysis were performed using chi square tests and univariate logistic regression for categorical independent variables were used for data analysis. The frequencies and distribution of each variable were calculated by conventional statistical methods. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. The result showed that 86.9% of the participants showed optimal adherence and 13.1% showed sub optimal adherence. Our result showed that the respondents, age, marital status and average monthly income were associated with suboptimal adherence to ART. Other factors such as gender, duration on ART, and the use of adherence reminders were not associated with non-adherence to ART. Strategies should be developed based on findings to increase adherence to ART.