Rate and Predictors of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among Clients on Antiretroviral Therapy at Tepi Health Center, South-west Ethiopia

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has resulted reduction of mortality and improved quality of life of peoples living with HIV/AIDS. Maximum benefits can only be achieved through maximum adherence. We designed this study to assess rate and predictors of adherence to antiretroviral therapy at Tepi health center. A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted through patient’s self report using structured pre-tested questionnaires and medical record of the clients in a total of 341 samples using systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected from January1, 2012 to February15, 2012 in Tepi health centre. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Multiple logistic regression model was constructed to determine predictors of adherence. Self-reported dose adherence in the study area was 78.6% and that of combined indicator was 43.4%. Positive predictors of adherence includes alcohol drinking (AOR=4.36, 95% CI =2.03, 9.35), and a belief of ART cures HIV (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.21, 3.13) while long-duration on HAART (≥49 months) (AOR=0.29, 95%CI=0.11, 0.75) was negative predictor. The adherence rate in this study was much less than studies in many parts of Ethiopia. Interventions should target on reduction of alcohol use and on imparting appropriate knowledge of HAART that will address false beliefs of “ART cures HIV”.Keywords: Adherence HAART Rate and Predictors HIV/AIDS Combined Adherenc