Factors Affecting Adherence to Co-Trimoxazole Preventive Therapy in HIV/AIDS Patients Attending an Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic in Ethiopia University Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the factors that affect adherence to co-trimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults in an antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic at the University of Gondar Compressive Specialized Teaching Hospital (UOGCSTH). METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1 to April 30, 2018, at the ART clinic at UOGCSTH. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews with pretested and standard questionnaires. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between different variables. P<0.05 was used to declare the association. RESULTS: The prevalence of adherence to CPT by self-reporting measurement was 205 (67.8%). Factors such as level of education, taking street drugs (alcohol and khat), spouse knowledge about clients on CPT, knowledge of the benefit of CPT, duration of CPT, missed dose, got proper information on how to take CPT, and counseling done on refill were found to be significantly associated with adherence to CPT. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The overall adherence to CPT was fair in our study. To improve the adherence, continuous education and counseling, giving group service support for clients and having a separate counseling room are some of the possible solutions.