HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care (Nov 2020)
Alarm Clock-Based Reminder for Improving Low Adherence on Option B Plus Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV Positive Pregnant and Lactating Mothers in Northern Ethiopia
Abstract
Gebremedhin Gebreegziabher Gebretsadik,1 Hailay Gebretnsae,2 Mulu Ftwi,1 Afewerki Tesfahunegn3 1Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Tigray, Ethiopia; 2Tigray Health Research Institute, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia; 3Department of Epidemiology, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Gebremedhin Gebreegziabher Gebretsadik Email [email protected]: Option B plus antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an approach used to eliminate new Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) infections among infants. Considering the high adherence on Option B plus ART in HIV positive mothers is a crucial part in preventing mother-to-child transmission HIV. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the status of adherence and factors related to Option B plus ART.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted in Eastern zone of Tigrai Region from January to February 2017. Data were collected by using pre-tested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire from 350 participants selected using simple random sampling. Descriptive and binary logistic regression was done during analysis.Results: The overall good adherence status of Option B plus ART among pregnant and lactating mothers was 67.3% [62.3– 72.3%]. Attending formal education (AOR=2.78, 95% CI 1.52– 5.07), traveling for < 1 hour to reach health facility (AOR=2.03, 95% CI 1.19– 3.44), (CD4) count < 350 cells/mm3 (AOR=2.3, 95% CI 1.33– 3.95), starting their Option B plus during pregnancy (AOR= 2.08, 95% CI 1.08– 3.97), taking one pill per day (AOR=2.12, 95% CI 1.25– 3.58), using a clock as a reminder (AOR=2.51, 95% CI 1.3– 4.86), and having good male involvement (AOR=2.91, 95% CI 1.64– 5.16) were associated with good level of adherence for Option B plus ART treatment.Conclusion: Our study revealed that the level of good adherence is low compared with the national target. Therefore, addressing the low adherence of Option B plus ART requires a policy response, such as efforts to enhance male partner involvement and better service accessibility in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program. Moreover, health care providers and policymakers need to maximaze their efforts on HIV positive pregnant and lactating mothers using a clock as a reminder.Keywords: adherence, Option B plus ART, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission program; PMTCT, Ethiopia
