Alarm Clock-Based Reminder for Improving Low Adherence on Option B Plus Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV Positive Pregnant and Lactating Mothers in Northern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: 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.