Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and Associated Factors Among HIV-Infected Children in Public Health Institutions of Adwa, Axum, and Shire Towns of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) provision was among the major challenge of treatments. Maintaining the optimal level of adherence among children living with HIV/AIDS is a pivotal step towards achieving treatment success. However, there are limited studies on child’s ART adherence. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and associated factors among HIV-infected children in health institutions of Adwa, Axum, and Shire towns, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children in between February and April, 2016. A total of 255 children who were taking antiretroviral therapy in the randomly selected three health facilities from Adwa, Axum and Shire towns were included. Data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires using a face-to-face interview. The collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected children. RESULTS: A total of the 255 study participants were included in the study. The level of ART adherence among HIV-positive children was 212 (84.8%). Knowledge of caregivers about ART treatment (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.18, 6.53), occupational status (AOR = 4.78, 95% CI: 1.26, 18.91), appointment to ART less than two months (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.21, 7.70) and use of memory aids (AOR = 4.58, 95% CI: 1.73, 12.13) were independently associated with adherence to ART. CONCLUSION: The level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy was low. Healthcare providers should reinforce adherence intervention and counseling sessions during follow-up and address the proper use of medication reminders to help children take their drugs appropriately.