Treatment Satisfaction and Its Associated Factors of Dolutegravir Based Regimen in a Resource Limited Setting

Abstract

Introduction

Treatment satisfaction is patient’s evaluation of the process of taking the medication and its use. Currently dolutegravir based regimen is first-line agent for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus. But evidence is scarce regarding treatment satisfaction. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess treatment satisfaction and associated factors of dolutegravir based regimen among adult human immunodeficiency virus patients attending at Debre Markos referral 2020.

Methods

Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A systematic random sampling technique was used to collect data from June 25 to August 25, 2020 at Debre Markos referral hospital. It was entered into Epi Info and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors. Variables with p<0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results

From a total of 359, 349 participants (97.2%) responded to the study. In this study, 70.5% of participants reported higher treatment satisfaction. Monthly average income of ≥3500 birr (AOR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.26, 6.58), 1600–2500 birr (AOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.11, 5.48), 800–1600 birr (AOR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.31, 7.37), positive belief about medications (AOR: 3.05; 1.76, 5.28), having a discussion with health care providers (AOR: 3.05, 95% CI: 1.58, 5.88), patients without concurrent medication (AOR: 7.72, 95% CI: 3.29, 18.07), and being male (AOR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.87) were associated with treatment satisfaction.

Conclusion

Overall, dolutegravir based regimen showed high treatment satisfaction. Monthly income, positive beliefs about medications, discussing about treatment options, sex and concurrent medications were associated with treatment satisfaction. Thus, it is crucial to improve treatment satisfaction by promoting positive belief towards medication and also by engaging patients in treatment decisions.

Keywords:

• dolutegravir
• treatment satisfaction
• Debre Markos

Abbreviations

ART, Antiretroviral therapy; BMQ, Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire; DRH, Debre Markos Referral Hospital; Epi Info, Epidemiological Information; ETB, Ethiopian Birr; HIV, Human immune deficiency virus; TSQM II, Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication version II.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of School of Pharmacy, University of Gondar. Necessary permission was gained from the Debre Markos referral hospital. The study was conducted according to the criteria set by the declaration of Helsinki. The respondents were informed about the purpose of the study and their consent to participate was obtained. Data were collected after written informed consent was obtained and confidentiality of the information was maintained.

Consent to Publish

Participants’ consent was taken to publish this work.

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the University of Gondar for funding this research project. We are also thankful to study participants, to data collectors and supervisor for their contribution in this research.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was done with the financial support of University of Gondar. The funding offices had no direct or indirect involvement in the study write up and analysis.