Delay antiretroviral therapy initiation and factors affecting it among patients on antiretroviral treatment at North Shewa zone public health facilities, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2024: a mixed method approach

Puntos clave

• Delay in antiretroviral therapy initiation carries significant implications for patient health outcomes, particularly HIV progression.
• Only 40% of patients began therapy within the recommended time, showing a critical gap in treatment adherence.
• Mixed method approach was utilized to assess both quantitative and qualitative factors affecting therapy delays.
• Identifying these factors may enable the development of targeted interventions to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.