జర్నల్ ఆఫ్ ప్రెగ్నెన్సీ అండ్ చైల్డ్ హెల్త్

నైరూప్య

Level of Adherence to Option B plus Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission and Associated Factors among HIV-Positive Pregnant and Lactating Women at Health Facilities of Jigjiga Town, Eastern Ethiopia

Abdurrahman Kedir Roble, Amin Ugas Mahad, Mekonin Meskelu Shegere, Endalkachew Mekonnen Eticha, Workineh Diriba Gemechu, Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim, Girma Tadesse Wedajo, Ramadan Budul Yusuf

Background: Option B+ Prevention of Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) is a global provider of antiretroviral therapy to pregnant and lactating women infected with HIV without eligibility criteria.

Objective: To determine the level of adherence and factors associated to Option B+ PMTCT among HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 233 HIV-infected pregnant and lactating women who had been enrolled in PMTCT follow-up units in Jigjiga Hospitals. The sample size was calculated using a single-population proportion formula. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the frequency and percentages of participants’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with adherence to option B+ PMTCT drugs.

Results: The overall level of adherence to option B+ during pregnancy and breastfeeding was 73.4%. Pregnant and lactating women who had partner support [Adjusted Odd Ration (AOR) = 7.36, 95% CI (2.89, 18.71)] and initiated PMTCT service at the time of diagnosis [AOR = 2.75, 95% CI (1.01, 7.46)] were more likely adhered to the service than their comparators. Similarly, achieving higher educational level [AOR = 10.50, 95% CI (1.82, 60.76)] and five or more frequent antenatal care follow-ups [AOR = 5.71, 95% CI (1.15, 28.45)] were positively associated with good adherence.

Conclusion: In this study, the level of adherence to option B+ PMTCT service was less than the recommended adherence level to prevent vertical transmission.