NONCOMPLIANCE TO ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT AMONG TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important re-emerging disease with increasing global morbidity and mortality. Each year, more than nine million people are infected with tuberculosis worldwide and three million deaths are attributed to the disease. Presently Nigeria is ranked 4th among the 22 tuberculosis burden countries in the world with an estimated prevalence of 536/100,000 population. Tuberculosis control is hindered by patients' noncompliance to anti-tuberculosis drugs, and a single untreated case is capable of infecting 10 to 15 persons annually. Although factors responsible for non-compliance to treatment have been reported in studies, this has not been done in Bayelsa State. This study assessed factors responsible for non-compliance to anti-tuberculosis treatment, as well as to determine the prevalence of non-compliance to Tuberculosis treatment in Bayelsa state. A total of 320 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis presently in the continuous phase of anti-TB treatment in Bayelsa State were selected from all directly observed therapy (DOT) centres in the State. The total sample size was distributed in proportion to the population in each DOT centre using the proportional probability sampling technique. Patients were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire to identify reasons for non-compliance. Prevalence of noncompliance was 7.5%. Sex, age, religion, occupation, smoking habit alcohol consumption and transport fare were significantly associated with noncompliance. Males were about 12 times more likely not to comply with TB treatment compared to females (OR = 12.2, 95%CI=l.50-98.6). Respondents aged 35years and above were about 10 times more likely not to comply compared to their counterparts, who were below 35 years (OR=9.67, 95%CI=l.15-81.61). As regards knowledge, respondents with good knowledge about signs and symptoms of TB were 75% less likely not to comply to treatment than those with poor knowledge (OR= 0.25, 95%CI=0.10- 0.63). Prevalence of non-compliance to tuberculosis treatment is low in Bayelsa, however, collaborative efforts should be adopted by relevant agencies and bodies on proper health education to patients on the consequences of non-compliance to TB treatment at the time of diagnosis. This will help to further reduce the prevalence of non-compliance in Bayelsa State.