Treatment Adherence and Factors Associated Among Tuberculosis Patient in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State

Abstract

Background: TB is a chronic bacterial infection caused by micro bacterium tuberculosis that primarily affect the lung and may involve almost every part of the body. It is transmitted from person to person mainly through respiratory route, when tubercle bacilli in respiratory secretions from nuclei or droplets are expelled during coughing, sneezing and vocalizing and occasionally through ingestion of cow’s milk. Methods: A cross sectional community based study was conducted to identify tuberculosis treatment adherence and factors associated with among TB patients currently on treatment at health facility in Bedesa town, Oda Bultum Woreda, West Hararghe.  Data was collected by using a structured close and open ended questionnaire. Then, the collected data was edited, cleared, checked and analyzed manually by using scientific calculator. We presented a descriptive analysis of anti TB adherence and factors associated with.Results: A total of 247 tuberculosis patients were interviewed; 57.48% were males and nearly 21.45% were urban dwellers. Adherence to anti TB drug was 78.95% and that of non adherence was 21.05%. About 78% of participants know the risk of missing a dose, 82.59%  know about keeping specific time of administration and 61.16% know about not stopping even when feeling well. About 24.69% participants missed their medicine due to poor relationship with care givers, 2.85% missed due to side effects and 17.8% missed or stop their due to any discrimination or stigma faced.Conclusion: Non-adherence from TB treatment is a complex, dynamic issue with various factors impacting on treatment taking behavior. Non-adherence among TB patients was high. Poor relationship with care giver, and discrimination or stigma faced from family or relatives were the most frequent reasons for missing the anti-TB pills.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, Adherence, Anti-TB drugs