Determinants of Virological Suppression Among HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has played an important role in the decline of HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. However, the growing challenge of virological non-suppression compromises the effectiveness of current treatment options. Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of virological suppression among people living with HIV on ART at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, northwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2024. A structured questionnaire was utilized to gather sociodemographic data, while clinical data were obtained by examining the patients’ medical records. Blood samples were collected to measure viral load. A binary logistic regression model was employed to determine the associated factors, with a p value < .05 at 95% confidence interval deemed statistically significant. The study included 258 participants who had ART follow-up for at least 6 months. The median age of the patients was 40, and the majority (36.8%) were in the 35–44 age range. About 95.7% of the patients achieved virological suppression, whereas 11 participants (4.3%) did not. ART adherence, CD4 count at study time, and age were significant predictors of virological suppression. Virological suppression was demonstrated in the majority (95.7%) of patients receiving ART, which aligns with the joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS viral suppression goal on ART program. Managing age-related factors and intensive adherence counseling should be prioritized to maintain and increase virological suppression rates.