In comparison to the general population, persons living with HIV show a higher prevalence of poor quality of sleep, with estimates from 24.1–100% vs in the normal population 10–40%. There are not enough data on the poor quality of sleep among HIV-infected persons in Ethiopia.

Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 336 HIV-infected persons in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), social phobia inventory (SPIN), changes in sexual functioning questionnaire short-form (CSFQ-14), Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND), severity of dependence scale (SDS), and CAGE questionnaire (cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye opener) was used. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 version. Bivariate and multivariable regressions were computed, and a significance level was declared at a point P-value of <0.05.

A total of 336 respondents completed all questionnaires with response rate 98.53%. A total of 192 participants (57.1%) had poor sleep quality. Concerning associated factors; positive for social phobia, sexual dysfunction, living alone, poor antiretroviral (ARV) treatment adherence, and drunken alcohol had a positive association with poor sleep quality.

Of the persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Mettu Karl Referral Hospital, 57.1% experienced poor sleep quality. Social phobia, living arrangement, sexual dysfunction, poor ARV treatment adherence, and use of alcohol showed a significant association with poor quality of sleep. The findings suggest that a longitudinal study will be needed to elucidate the causal relationship of variables, and routine screening of poor sleep quality among PLWH is highly recommended. Furthermore, integrating and launching mental health services at ART clinic is greatly important.