OPTION B+ ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ADHERENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN ENROLLED IN PMTCT CLINIC AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES IN GAMBELLA TOWN, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA, 2023

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) among women on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) program is a vital component to reduce viral loads and achieve elimination of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Option B+ is an ART during pregnancy and breast-feeding, regardless of HIV disease stage or degree of immunodeficiency. The aim of this study was to assess to option B+ART adherence and associated factors among pregnant and lactating women enrolled in PMTCT clinic at the public health facilities in Gambella town, southwest Ethiopia, 2023 Methodology: Implemented cross-sectional study design to assess the level of adherence to option B+ART and associated factors. Used simple random sampling technique to address the 354 women. Entered data in EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed by using SPSS version 27.0 statistical software. Results: In this study, the level of good adherence to option B+ART was 69.5%, (95%CI; 64.4-74.2)]. While the level of poor adherence among the respondents was one hundred eight, 30.5%, (95%CI; 25.8-35.6). Women having monogamous partner, [AOR 6.12(95% CI; 1.56- 23.99)], missing ART doses reduces its effectiveness, [AOR 7.03 (95%CI; 1.71-28.82)]. Adhering to ART reduces the risk of OIs, [AOR 4.54 (95%CI; 1.16-17.77)], not perceiving it is tiresome to take ART every day, [AOR 6.16(95%CI; 1.55-24.43)], taking ART benefit both the mother and the babies, [AOR 11.83(95%CI; 2.58-54.35)], being urban residents, [AOR 4.73(95%CI; 1.17-19.13)]. Knowledge on side effects of medication, [AOR 7.37(95%CI; 1.65-32.93)], male partner support after disclosure, [AOR 35.04(95% CI; 6.93- 177.23)], and perceiving medication schedule fit daily life, [AOR 4.83(95%CI; 1.16-20.03)], were positively and significantly associated with adherence to option B+ART. Conclusion and Recommendation: This study revealed the level of option B+ ART adherence in the study area as low compared to the expected national standard for good adherence, i.e. >=95% and nine significantly associated factors to option B+ ART adherence. However, six of the significantly associated factors are specific findings to this thesis. With the support of the Gambella regional health bureau, non-government organizations and other stakeholders working in the region, health professionals working in the health facilities need to assess the level of client’s adherence to option B+ ART and make an intervention based on the findings of the associated factors of option B+ ART adherence in this study.