Factors influencing tuberculosis medication adherence: A cognitive intervention in a resource limited setting

Abstract

Adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment is a critical factor in determining treatment success. Knowledge about tuberculosis and the belief in the efficacy of the medication influence whether or not a patient chooses to adhere to the treatment. This study determined the factors that influence tuberculosis medication adherence and assessed the impact of a cognitive intervention. The prospective, cross sectional hospital based survey was carried out in Our Lady of Apostle (OLA) Hospital, Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria from October 2014 to January 2015. Structured, interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 301 respondents. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The adherence level was 80.5%. The factors significantly (p<0.05) associated with TB medication adherence were ethnicity, religion, alcohol consumption, knowledge of TB disease and DOTs. TB patients were educated on the cause, mode of transmission of tuberculosis and the objectives of the Directly Observed Therapy short course (DOTs) program, which yielded a significant impact (p<0.01). Adherence monitoring plans like home visits and care should be sustained and home based care should be encouraged.