LEVEL OF ART ADHERENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC ERA IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF JIGJIGA CITY EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 is a global public health issue which has affected the essential health services. The pandemic containment measures and low setting of health system are challenging the antiretroviral treatment follow-up. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding antiretroviral therapy adherence in Ethiopia, particularly Jigjiga city, during the era of the Coronavirus Disease 2019. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the level of antiretroviral treatment adherence and associated factors during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic era in Public Hospitals of Jigjiga city, Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia. Methodology: Institutional based cross-sectional study was carried out among 382 randomly selected Human Immune Deficiency Virus patients on antiretroviral treatment follow-up in public hospitals of Jigjiga city from March1-30/2022. The data were collected using a check list and pre-tested and standard structured questionnaires. Epi-data were used for data entry and SPSS version 26 for data analysis. Bi-variable and Multivariable logistic regression model were fitted to identify factors associated with antiretroviral treatment adherence, odds ratios with 95% Confidence intervals were estimated. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. The information was presented by using frequencies, summary measures and graphs. Results: The adherence rate of the study patients was 76.9% (95% CI=71.9-82). Disclosing HIV status to sexual partners or other [AOR=2.3, (95% CI (1.22-4.19)], having communication with health care providers’ [AOR= 3.2, (95% CI (1.57-6.53)], no history current substance use [AOR= 2.6, (95% CI (1.45-4.63)] and patients who did not fear of COVID-19 infection [AOR= 5.8 (3.11-10.98)] were significantly associated with optimal ART adherence. Conclusion: In this study, self-reported ART adherence was poor in comparison to the expected level. Patients' adherence status was favourably related with disclosing their own status to families and having contact with their health care providers, whereas worrying COVID-19 pandemic infection and current substance use were adversely associated