Determinants of Appointment Spacing Model Acceptance Among People Living With HIV in Dessie City, Northeast Ethiopia: Case–Control Study

Abstract

Introduction In Ethiopia, the appointment spacing model (ASM) has been adopted since 2017. However, a significant proportion of eligible people living with HIV (PLHIV) are not enrolling in this model. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess the determinants of ASM acceptance among PLHIV in Northeast Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based case–control study was conducted. Cases were PLHIV who were enrolled in ASM. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of ASM acceptance at a p -value of <.05. Results A total of 305 PLHIV were participated in the study. Being female (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.07-3.35), rural residence (AOR = 3.27; 95% CI: 1.61-6.63), receiving ART over 5 years (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.32-5.25), HIV disclosure (AOR = 3.64; 95% CI: 1.57-8.41), and PLHIV who required 1 to 3 hours to reach the ART clinic (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.15-0.73) were associated with the ASM acceptance. Conclusions Sex, residence, duration on ART, HIV disclosure status, and time required to reach the ART clinic were found to be associated with the ASM acceptance.