Process Evaluation of Pediatrics Antiretroviral Treatment Service at Health Centers in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2026: A Mixed Method Study.

Abstract

BackgroundPaediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for improving treatment outcomes among children living with HIV. Assessing service implementation helps identify gaps affecting quality of care.ObjectiveTo evaluate the process of paediatric ART services at selected health centres in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2026.MethodsA facility-based single-case study using a concurrent mixed-methods design was conducted. Data were collected through resource inventories, document reviews, structured observations, caregiver interviews, and key informant interviews. Thirty-one indicators assessed service availability, provider compliance, and caregiver satisfaction. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and qualitative data thematically.ResultsOverall process performance was 80.8%, indicating fair performance requiring improvement. Resource availability and provider compliance were very good, while caregiver satisfaction was excellent. Satisfaction was significantly associated with educational status, medication adherence, and availability of medical supplies (p<0.05).ConclusionsStrengthening adherence support and ensuring uninterrupted medical supplies could improve paediatric ART quality.