Factors associated with Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence among Adult Patients in Wolaita Soddo Hospital, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Background: HIV a major challenge to the whole world since the last quarter of 20th century but has become a member of a manageable chronic disease since the advent of ARV drugs. The non-adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy is an emerging major challenge to AIDS care. Objective: To assess factors associated with adherence among AIDS patients receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at Wolaita Soddo Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out at Wolaita Soddo Hospital from April 15 to May 15, 2012 E.C. The collected data were entered in Epi Info version3.5.3. Data analyses were done using SPSS for windows version 16.0. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between the dependent variable and independent variables calculating odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical significance was set at α. ≤ 0.05. Multivariable analyses were applied to identify the relative effect of explanatory variables on the dependent variable. Results: Three hundred and fifty seven HIV/ AIDS patients were involved in the study. Multi-method adherence assessment consisting of self-report, monthly dispense schedule and dietary requirements ,were used to measure adherence and the average adherence rate was 74.4%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, with whom a subject lives (AOR=4.943,1,(2.168-11.270)), depression(AOR=2.221,1,(1.093-4.515)), and having inadequate diet to take with ART (AOR=2.229,1,(1.034-4.807)), were independent predictors of dose adherence. Conclusions: In conclusion living with a partner, having no depression and having no food scarcity to take with ART have association with adherence to ART regimens.