Providing anti-retroviral treatment did not achieve the ambition of 'Joint united nations program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) among HIV positive patient in Ethiopia': a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) has great importance in reducing viral load. Though a global effort was made to suppress viral load, the level of viral load suppression among ART patients is still high in Ethiopia. This study aims to assess the magnitude and contributing factors for viral load suppression among patients attending ART clinics in Ethiopia. The articles were searched using different databases using the guideline of reporting systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA). A random effect model was used to ascertain the pooled prevalence of viral load suppression in Ethiopia using STATA 14 software. The pooled prevalence of suppressed viral load was 75.25% (95% CI: 68.61-81.89). Having good adherence (OR: 2.71, 95% CI 2.27, 3.15), baseline CD4 count (OR: 1.74, 95% CI 1.53, 1.96), and being female (OR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.04, 1.79) were determinants of pooled estimates of suppressed viral load. The pooled prevalence of suppressed viral load was 75% which is lower than the targeted level by the sustainable development goal (SDG) 2020, which was 90%. Therefore, the stakeholders should be focused on the existing strategies to decrease viral load among ART patients. They should work to adhere to patients for ART treatment.