Lami Bayisa|Abilo Tadesse|Diriba Mulisa|Ebisa Turi|Tadesse Tolosa
Behavioral factors associated with delayed ART initiation among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in Nekemte referral Hospital, Western Ethiopia
Wollega University|University of Gondar|Wollega University|Wollega University|Wollega University
delayed initiation antiretroviral therapy art continues drive morbidity mortality onward human immune virus hiv infection transmission major causes hiv related life threatening events due delayed art initiation little documented timing art initiation hospital settings majority patients present advanced hiv disease opportunistic infections potentially high risk mortality discharge early initiation art needed reduce hiv related morbidity mortality reduce hiv infection transmission study aimed determine plwhs health belief factors related delayed art initiation hospitalbased crosssectional study conducted explore healthrelated beliefs among plwh delayed art initiation art clinic nekemte referral hospital western ethiopia january 1 2020 march 31 2020 time period january 1 2016 december 31 2019 consecutive sampling method used recruit 417 plwh patients interviewed obtain sociodemographic data relevant medical history obtained patients chart records collected data processed analyzed using epi data version 31 spss version 20 logistic regression models constructed identify independently associated behavioral factors delayed art initiation pvalue 005 used declare statistical significance mean age 417 plwh 335 sd98 years 75 urban dwellers attended formal education third 34 plwh initiated art delayed poor literacy status significantly associated delayed use art timing art initiation significantly affected respondents perceived threat perceived net benefit selfefficacy start art prevalence delayed art initiation relatively low strengthening mechanisms early hiv test linkage care awareness art benefit recommended initiate art early