Magnitude and Associated Factors of Non-Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy among Children in Fiche Hospital, North Shewa, Ethiopia, 2016

Abstract

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) increases the length of life, quality of life and productivity of people living with HIV/ AIDS. However, the effectiveness of ART relies on strict adherence to it though such data are lacking in the study area. The objective of this study is to assess non-adherence to antiretroviral treatment and associated factors among children living with HIV/AIDS in Fiche Hospitals, North Shewa, and Ethiopia. Institutional based crosssectional study design involving 120 participants (patients and their caregivers) was conducted from May to August, 2016. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 software packages. Descriptive data was generated and placed in terms of frequency and percentage. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to estimate association between variables. Findings were presented using tables, graphs and figures. In this study, the overall prevalence of non-adherence was 35.8%. Most frequently identified reason of missing their dose was forgetting (44.2%). Age of the child, educational level of caregivers, occupational status of the caregiver and World Health Organization disease stages of the child were significantly associated with non-adherence. Adherence level obtained in the study was lower than what is recommended by World Health Organization which is greater than 95%. Forgetfulness was most frequently mentioned barrier of adherence. Effective work need to be done to optimize adherence to antiretroviral therapy in order to make children fully benefit from their medication.