Magnitude of antiretroviral treatment failure and associated factors among adult HIV-positive patients in Harar public hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral treatment failure occurred when the antiretroviral regimen is unable to control HIV infection. There is no information on antiretroviral therapy failure in this study area. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of antiretroviral therapy failure among HIV-positive adult patients in Harar public hospitals from January to February 2018. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted using chart review data from February 2005 to July 2017. Systematic sampling technique was used to include a sample of 1094 patient charts. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure was 21% (95% confidence interval = 18.3–23.5). Being male in sex, age of 45–54 years, patients with World Health Organization stages 3 and 4 during antiretroviral therapy initiation, a baseline CD4 count <100 cells/mm(3), poor drug adherence, and on antiretroviral therapy follow-up for ⩾25 months were predictors of antiretroviral treatment failure. CONCLUSION: In this study, the rate of antiretroviral treatment failure is relatively high. Therefore, the concerned body should pay attention to the predictors to reduce the risk of treatment failure among this study group.