IMPROVING QUALITY OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY SERVICE AMONG ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY USERS AT BURE PRIMARY HOSPITAL, WEST GOJJAM ZONE, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstract Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

2020. Methods: A pre-post interventional study design was employed from December, 2019 to January, 2020 for pre intervention and from April to May, 2020 post intervention study. All 357 HIV positive clients who were on ART were taken as the sample of the study. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire and data extraction checklist was used to collect the data. Conducted regular internal mentorship, Availed CD4 cartilage & did CD4 count regularly, provide refreshment training for service providers, Screened all clients for Tuberculosis at each visit, Collect sample regularly and sent for viral load testing, Availed cotrimoxazole, Isoniazid & provide it for all eligible clients were interventions done to improve quality of ART service. Paired t-test was used for comparing the mean score of indicators before and after the intervention. Mean score with 95% CI and P –value < 0.05 were used to determine the impact of the intervention on the quality of the service. Result: The mean age of the study participants was 39.61 years Conclusion: Significant improvement has been observed on quality of ART service by the intervention. Ensuring availability of cotrimoxazole, Isoniazid, CD4 cartilage, HIV test kit, and routine viral load testing, strengthening adherence, index case testing and regular follow up of its implementation as per ART national guide line through internal mentorship has a significant impact on the quality of service. Therefore, adhering the national guideline and fulfilling the availability of the recommended infrastructures helps to improve the quality of ART service. Key words: Quality of ART service Bure Primary Hospital, Ethiopia.