Assessment of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Art Users in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: HIV-associated morbidity and mortality gets substantially reduced with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Antiretroviral treatment efficacy exhibits significant inhibition of viral replication as well as viral load resulting in significant decrease in viral particles to a level where it becomes undetectable in the blood of HIV infected individuals. But, antiretroviral therapy (ART) requires high-level (>95%) adherence and adherence to antiretroviral therapy has been correlated strongly with HIV viral suppression, reduced rates of resistance, an increase in survival, and improved quality of life. The total populations of ART users in JUSH are 3036, among those 243 are pediatric age group. Objective: To assess adherence to ART among people living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy in JUSH, Jimma Town, Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, South West Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using quantitative approach to assess adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS infected individuals from June 29–July 14, 2016. The required sample size was calculated using single population proportion formula by taking adherence prevalence rate in south west Ethiopia in 2009 which is 72.4% and study subjects were selected by using the convenience sampling technique. Data were collected by face to face interview using structured questionnaires. Result: At the end of two weeks’ study period 277 patients from the total 2863 returned to the ART clinic to refill their medication were interviewed and the adherence rate to ARV medication was 93.8% of all prescribed doses. Conclusion and Recommendation: Adherence to antiretroviral regimen is critical, patient must take 95 % of the prescribed pills to achieve an 80% of the likelihood of HIV suppression below 50 copies per ml. regarding to present study, and the adherence rate was 93.8%. Self-reporting on adherence may be considered as an alternative to CD4 count monitoring for identification of patient at risk of virological failure especially in resource scarce countries. Since self-report alone is not enough to measure adherence, other studies like cohort studies with CD4 count and pill count method should be conducted.

Keywords: Adherence, antiretroviral therapy, HIV/AIDS, Ethiopia

Cite this Article

Gabbisaa Misgaanaa, Tabarak Malik. Assessment of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among Art Users in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, South West Ethiopia. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Immunology. 2018; 8(1): 14–21p.