Providing anti-retroviral treatment did not achieve the ambition of ‘Joint united nations program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) among HIV positive patient in Ethiopia’: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) has great importance in reducing viral load. Though a global effort was made to suppress viral load, the level of viral load suppression among ART patients is still high in Ethiopia.

Objective:

This study aims to assess the magnitude and contributing factors for viral load suppression among patients attending ART clinics in Ethiopia.

Methods:

The articles were searched using different databases using the guideline of reporting systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA). A random effect model was used to ascertain the pooled prevalence of viral load suppression in Ethiopia using STATA 14 software.

Results:

The pooled prevalence of suppressed viral load was 75.25% (95% CI: 68.61–81.89). Having good adherence (OR: 2.71, 95% CI 2.27, 3.15), baseline CD4 count (OR: 1.74, 95% CI 1.53, 1.96), and being female (OR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.04, 1.79) were determinants of pooled estimates of suppressed viral load.

Conclusion:

The pooled prevalence of suppressed viral load was 75% which is lower than the targeted level by the sustainable development goal (SDG) 2020, which was 90%. Therefore, the stakeholders should be focused on the existing strategies to decrease viral load among ART patients. They should work to adhere to patients for ART treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Antiretroviral therapy
• HIV infection
• HIV-positive patients
• suppression of viral load

Acknowledgements

Authors of the primary research used in this systematic meta-analysis never need to be missed from acknowledgment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval

Ethics approval Ethical approval was not required because the data of this study were retrieved and synthesized from already published studies.

Data availability statement

Data availability statement will be available on reasonable request.

Authorship

TM, TS, KH, AT, AZ, YW, KZ, and JB have substantial contributions to the conception, design, and acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation of data. TMB drafted the article and revised it critically for important intellectual content. All authors have approved the final version of this manuscript.

S1. Prisma checklist for the study of viral load suppression among HIV-positive patients

S2. Newcastle – Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for Cohort Studies

S3. Quality assessment score for individual items for the study of viral load suppression among HIV-positive patients

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received.

Notes on contributors

Tamirat Melis

Tamirat Melis is currently working as lecturer at Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. He provides epidemiology and biostatistics courses for undergraduate and master students. He is also interested and is doing research and community projects which solve problem of the community.

Tadesse Sahle

Tadesse Sahle is currently working as lecturer at Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. His interest is conducting research in nursing procedures.

Kassahun Haile

Kassahun Haile is currently lecturer of Wolkite University Department of medical laboratory, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. His interest is conducting research and attending PhD program to upgrade his profession.

Abebe Timerga

Abebe Timerga is currently working as head of preclinical medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. His interest is conducting research which is related to biochemistry.

Amare Zewdie

Amare Zewdie is currently working as lecturer at Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. His interest is solving community health problem and providing health education using different model.

Yohannes Wegu

Yohannes Wegu Kule Refugee Camp, Gambela health offices, Southwest Ethiopia. His interest is implementation of different policy and guidelines which are prepared by ministry of health of Ethiopia.

Kebebush Zepire

Kebebush Zepire is currently working as lecturer at Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. Her interest is conducting research on health service management.

Jemal Bedewi

Jemal Bedewi is currently working as lecturer at Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolkite University, Ethiopia. His primary focus is identifying and implementing strategies to ensure the wellbeing of the environment.