A Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Outcome for Adherence and Depression (CBT-AD) among people living with HIV/AIDS who have been on Anti Retro viral therapy (ART) follow up at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC) 2017/018

Result: CBT-AD (N=134 pparticiapnts) had signfciant large effect size improvements in depression (f= 853.21, p < .001, partial eta squared=0.78), perceived stigma (f=125.54, p < 0.001, partial eta squared= 0.317), sleep quality (f=20.10, p<0.001, partial eta squared= 0.317) compared to control group (n=140 particiapnts) at post treatment (4 months). Over three follow-ups, CBT-AD groups (n==122 particiapnts) maintined lower depressive symptoms (f=507.97, p<0.001, partial eta squared= 0.808), lower perceieved stigma (f=1012.14, P<0.001, Partial Eta Squared= 0.893) regardless of soci-demographich caharcteristiic differences. Conclusion: Cognitive behavioural therapy is helpful to HIV/AIDS patients to reduce depression, pereceived stigma, and improve ART medication adherence and sleep quality. Recommendation: structured cognitive behavioural therapy shall be integrated in the managmenet of HIV/AIDS patients with depression and related adherence, sleep, and stigma reports. Key words: Cognitive behavioral therapy, depression, ART clients, ART adherence, sleep quality, perceived stigma