Level Of ART Adherence and associated factors among People Living with HIV in the Context of Early Antiretroviral therapy initiation In Wolaita Sodo Town, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Early antiretroviral therapy initiation is WHO recommendation for fasten viral suppression and for prevention of further viral transmission sexually. There is no evidence showing the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) after initiation of the universal test and treat (UTT) strategy in Ethiopia, including study area. This study was aimed to determine the level of ART adherence and associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients in context of Universal test and treat strategy. A Health facility-based study was conducted on 352 people living with HIV who started their ART follow-up after application of universal test and treat strategy in Ethiopia from 15 April to 5 June 2020. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data and collected data were entered directly in to SPSS version 21 and analyzed. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done. Strength and direction of association was determined by using AOR with 95%CI. The total 352 participants included the study. The overall level of adherence was 290 (82.4%). Commonly used ART regimen was TDF+3TC+EFV, 201(57.1%). In bivariate analysis, type of health institutions COR 2.934(1.388, 6.200), age level of 18-27 COR .357(.133, .959), current viral load in log scale COR= .357(.133, .959) and change of ART medication COR= 8.088(1.973, 33.165) were associated with medication adherence. Health institution type AOR = 2.615(1.147, 5.9600) and change of ART medication AOR= 7.267 (1.683, 31.384) were independent predictors of ART adherence. Low level of ART adherence was detected in this study. It was below the recommended good adherence standard and 90-90-90 target strategy. Therefore, patients should get adequate and comprehensive ART adherence counseling before initiation ART treatment and during the follow-up time.