HIV Support Group Care Utilization and its Effect on Treatment Outcome Among HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: Evidence from Ethiopia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment

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Abstract
In the realm of HIV care, support groups play a pivotal role by bringing together individuals living with HIV to share experiences and receive guidance from healthcare professionals. These groups are renowned for their substantial benefits, including improving emotional well-being, enhancing treatment adherence, and fostering a strong sense of community. However, despite these advantages, there is a notable gap in Ethiopia regarding concrete evidence of their impact on key treatment outcomes. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring how support group care influences viral suppression rates among HIV patients. The study was conducted among 259 HIV-positive individuals on ART using the EPHIA survey, employing a two-stage, stratified sampling design across urban areas in nine regions and two city administrations. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 17, and multicollinearity was assessed (VIF = 1.07). A multivariate logistic regression model was fitted, with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results showed that 25.12% of participants utilized HIV support groups. Those who participated in support groups were 3.14 times more likely to achieve viral load suppression compared to non-participants (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.35–6.30). This study highlights that HIV support groups significantly boost viral suppression rates, underscoring the importance of integrating these groups into standard treatment protocols. These findings underline the need for continued research to assess long-term outcomes and further optimize the effectiveness of support group care in enhancing HIV treatment outcomes.

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