HIV-AIDS remains a critical determinant of human morbidity and mortality with profound impact on the lives of those infected and affected. Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) aims to reduce morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and improve their health. The use of ART also contributes to preventing new HIV infections. To achieve ART goals, implementing programs must comply with the relevant local Ministry of Health guidelines by ensuring ART services adhere to set standards. There have been concerns regarding adherence to the Ministry of Health guidelines regulating the implementation of ART interventions and the effect of compliance or lack of it on HIV treatment outcomes. This descriptive retrospective and prospective study sought to assess compliance with Ministry of Health guidelines in the delivery of ART services to PLHIV. Key informant interviews were conducted with health care providers to identify structural factors influencing compliance with guidelines on ART service quality. Three hundred and sixty-seven records of PLHIV who received ART services at KTRH in 2019 were selected through systematic sampling and compliance performance of select quality of care indicators assessed against recommendations of ARV guidelines. Viral suppression levels of PLHIV were also assessed as a proxy measure of the quality of ART treatment outcomes.

Keywords : Quality, ART, Compliance, Guidelines, Standards, Viral Load Suppression.