Abstract:

Background: Expanding access to HIV counseling and testing (HCT) and antiretroviral treatment (ART) has reduced morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS. As a results, many countries are scaling up HIV/AIDS services. In this paper we discuss challenges experienced during the move toward universal access to HCT and ART services in Ethiopia. The number of patients initiated on ART annually increased from 26,021 in 2005 to 53,696 in 2008. Attrition of patients increased from 18% in 2005 to 26% in 2008. Our interviews indicated that fear of stigma, transport cost, feeling healthy and opting for traditional medicines were the main reasons for poor retention. Therefore, strategies should be developed and implemented to improve linkage and retention. To reduce AIDS related mortality in patients, adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is critical. However, little is known about factors associated with ART adherence among HIV patients in Meatu district.

Methods: A cross sectional study conducted comprising 200 HIV positive who were willing to participate in this study. Informed consent was obtained from participants. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire which included questions on demographic data, basic ART information, assessment of ARVs adherence and data entry was done in excel and analysis using SPSS.

Results: The study population comprised of HIV positive attending at Mwandoya health center. Out of 200 participants were sampled, 91 (45.5%) were male while 109 (54.5%) were female. This study found that (96%) of all HIV positive had an optimal ART adherence. The majority of participants, 181 (90.5%) had adequate counselling and informed consent for test on HIV and adherence issues. However 19 (9.5%) came late with the clinical symptoms of illness, however in study shown that family disclosure had an optimal ART adherence good of 82% and distance less than 5 kilometer 112 (56%) was associated with an optimal ART adherence compared to 88 (44%) distance more than 5 kilometer had poor adherence.

Conclusion: While the levels of ART adherence among patient attending at Mwandoya health center were good, it was found that (96%) of all HIV positive had an optimal ART adherence, patients whose disclosure their status were more likely to be adherent compared to those whose were none disclosure to the family members or partners. Furthermore early test and initiation of ART and disclosure had shown to suppression of viral load and good adherence to ART.