PREVALENCE, TREND, AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF ART NON-ADHERENCE AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV: A MIXED RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN SOUTH WOLLO, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS is the major public health issue in developing countries. The extent and associated factors of non-adherence to ART are not well known in the study setting. Non-adherence increases HIV-related morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess prevalence, trend and associated factors of ART non- adherence among people living with HIV: A Mixed retrospective and prospective study in MekidelaWoreda, south Wollo, Ethiopia. Method: This is a cohort retrospective and cross sectional prospective study. Five years (2016- 2020) Medical records of ART cases were collected retrospectively and prospective cross sectional data were collected from March to July 2020 through interview. Simple random sampling was used to select study participants. Descriptive statistics were used to describe proportions of the study participants and prevalence of the study. Data were analyzed using linear regressions to assess associated factors of ART non-adherence. Results: The data analysis shows that over all extent of ART non-adherence was 36% among adult PLWHA in Mekidela Woreda. Linear regression analysis showed that there is statistically significant relationship between ART non-adherence and factors such as distance from ART clinic (AOR: 0.172, 95% CI: 0.288-0.051), poor dilatory diversity (AOR: 0.131, 95% CI: 0.255-0.010) and full-time employment (AOR: 0.041, 95% CI: 0.253-0.078) were associated factors for ART non-adherence in the study setting. Conclusion: The finding suggests that the trend ART of non-adherence had been increasing in the study setting. Maximum and minimum ART non-adherence was recorded in 2020 and 2016 respectively. Associated factors for ART non-adherence among PLWH were long distance travelled from ART clinic, full-time employment, poor dilatory diversity and use of different substances. The statistical findings indicated that the intervention improves adherence, independent of a patient’s age and sex.