HIV Positive Status Disclosure and Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence among People Living with HIV in Ambo Hospital, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: HIV sero status disclosure and adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) medication are important for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Little is known about the relationship between HIV positive status disclosure and highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) adherence in developing countries including Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between HIV status disclosure and HAART adherence. Method: A cross-sectional study using quantitative research approach supplemented by qualitative methods was conducted from January to February 2012 on 420 people living with HIV (PLHIV) attending ART clinic in Ambo Hospital. Simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Data were collected through face to face interview and focus group discussion using pre-tested structured questionnaire and semi structured interview guides, respectively. Crude and adjusted odds ratios using logistic regression analysis were used to explore associations between different variables and HIV status disclosure and ART adherence. Results: The study revealed that the prevalence of HIV status disclosure to at least one person and highly active anti-retroviral therapy adherence were 86.2% (95% CI: 82.52-89.34) and 86% (95% CI: 82.2-89.13) respectively. Prevalence of HAART adherence among PLHIV who disclosed their sero status was 88.7% (95% CI: 84.95-91.75) where as the prevalence of HAART adherence among PLHIV who did not disclose their status was 69% (95% CI: 55.46-80.46). HIV status disclosure to at least one person (AOR=3.42, 95%CI: 1.60-7.29) and being literate (AOR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.08-4.22) were significantly associated with HAART adherence. Conclusion: HIV positive status disclosure was a significant predictor of HAART adherence. Hence, intervention programs to improve HAART adherence should consider the potential benefits of HIV status disclosure.