Quality of Anti-Retroviral Treatment service in Armed Force Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The number of people living with the Human Immune-deficiency Virus in Ethiopia is over 620,000 and the unmet need for antiretroviral therapy is approximately 78%. We believe we can end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Between 2010 and 2019, there had been a 23% decline in new HIV infections globally. More people are getting treatment than ever before. By providing quality ART service and keeping the focus on the needs and rights of key populations, we can prevent new HIV infections and ensure those living with HIV/AIDS are not left behind. Objective: To assess the quality of antiretroviral treatment service in the Armed force comprehensive specialized Hospital, A.A, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Armed forces comprehensive specialized Hospital from June 14 to July 26, 2021. The study populations were selected from people living with HIV and health care workers in antiretroviral therapy clinics during the study period. A systematic sampling method was used to select the study population. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used for 290 patients to assess their client satisfaction and antiretroviral drug adherence. The medical records review checklist was designed to get vital information from documents of 422 client cards. Data were entered using SPSS version 23 to maintain their quality and analyzed by descriptive and logistic regression techniques. Results: All resources recommended by the national antiretroviral therapy implementation guideline including trained staff, laboratory service, and drugs were continuously available, except for a shortage of some OI drugs. All essential components of basic HIV care and treatment were provided in the hospital as per national guidelines. However, missing important components of the provision of nutritional support. The study showed that 62.8% of clients were satisfied with the provision of ART service, 95.9% of clients were good ART drug adherence and 98.8% PLHIV suppressed viral load (<1000 copies/ml). Conclusion: Overall, 62.8% of respondents were satisfied with ART services provision and good adherence to ARV drugs compared to WHO recommendation. The satisfaction of ART service is relatively low compared to other studies conducted in different regions. Whom do you live with, have educational status, forget medication when away from home, and stop the medication when feel healthy were negatively associated with satisfaction with ART service. Good counseling to patients with low educational status, and with high viral load counts, and on the importance of disclosure, is recommended and should be given by health professionals