HIV/AIDS-Related Training Coverage Sponsored by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Associated Factors at Health Facilities Providing Antiretroviral Therapy in Southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Large numbers of people living with HIV do not know their HIV status and are not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). In this regard, various gap filling in-service trainings were given for health professionals to achieve the global three ninety-five target by 2020. The objective of this study was to assess Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sponsored training coverage and related factors at health facilities providing antiretroviral therapy in southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 27 facilities (15 hospitals and 12 health centers) in five zones of southern Ethiopia who were providing ART services in October 2019. A total of 403 health professionals from the 27 facilities were included in the study. Quantitative data were collected, edited, coded, and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and transported to SPSS 20 statistical software for analysis. Descriptive statistics were conducted and data were summarized using tables. RESULTS: From a total of 403 eligible study participants, 396 were included in the study with the response rate of 98.2%. Our study revealed that only 105 (33.5%) took training to conduct HIV testing for patients who were living with the virus. Our study also showed that all 91 health professionals working in HIV care and the treatment unit took pieces of training related to the service. However, only 102 (45.7%) laboratory professionals had training related to sample collection, HIV testing service, and viral load monitoring. Shortages of supply and equipment, space and trained human resources were claimed by 82 (62.6%), 68 (51.9%), and 46 (35.1%) of respondents, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that there was low coverage of trained staff to deliver HIV testing service and viral load monitoring. However, the coverage was good at HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and prevention units. Almost all health facilities have at least one trained staff member working at each service delivery point.