FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO NON-ADHERENCE TO ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUGS AMONG TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN ARUA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL ARUA DISTRICT.A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Tuberculosis is an infectious airborne bacterial disease. The study aims to assess the factors contributing to non-adherence to Ani-Tuberculosis drugs among Tuberculosis Patients.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was designed at Arua Regional Referral Hospital in the Arua district using a Simple random sampling technique on 32 respondents including both males and females.

Results

The significant factors influencing adherence were forgetfulness, drug stockouts in facilities, the number and size of drugs to be taken, and social support. The main reason for non-adherence was that the respondent had forgotten to swallow the drug 8(34%), those who forgot because the drugs were big and that they became well accounted for 8(25%) each while other respondents gave other reasons 5(16%). 28(88%) reported that they were given TB drugs as prescribed while those who did not receive drugs said that there was a stock out of drugs 2(50%) while 2(50%) were referred to another facility when no drugs were given. The majority of patients 21(66%) reported having been given 1-2 types of drugs which they took 1-2 times a day 23(72%) as compared to those who took 2-4 times 9(28%). Most respondents received social support from their families and communities 29(91%), with up to 28(88%) having been escorted by at least a family relative for treatment despite 03(9%) and 1(3%) having started treatment after a month and more than a month respectively.

Conclusion

There is adequate general knowledge on TB however loss of employment, stigma and lack of social support, discrimination, poverty, having a comorbidity, medication side effects, and long treatment period posed as barriers to treatment adherence.

Recommendation

Preventing the need for retreatment in the first place is the best strategy given the patient, community, and national health consequences of poor initial TB treatment outcomes and non-adherence.