Treatment compliance and challenges among tuberculosis patients across selected health facilities in Osun State Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in the world and Africa has approximately one quarter of the world's cases. One of the greatest challenges facing most TB programmes is the non-compliance to TB treatment among TB patients.

AIM

This study aimed at determining the challenges of management of tuberculosis (TB) across selected Osun State health facilities. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 102 TB patients in the health facilities. The instrument measured socio-demographic variables, patient related factors, socio-economic variables, health care system related factors to TB disease and treatment.

METHODS

Data were analysed and summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was placed at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

TB patients who had no formal education (χ2 = 12.941, p < 0.05), who were smoking during treatment (χ2 = 13.194, p < 0.001), who consumed alcohol during TB treatment (χ2 = 6.371, p < 0.05) and those who were HIV positive (χ2 = 23.039, p < 0.001) significantly failed to comply with TB treatment. TB patients who waited for one hour or more at heath facilities (χ2 = 21.761, p < 0.001), who reported that TB treatment should be stopped before six month (χ2 = 9.804, p < 0.05) or when patient felt better (χ2 = 35.185, p < 0.001) and travelled for 10 km or more (χ2 = 13.610, p < 0.001) significantly failed to comply with TB treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that non-compliance rate to tuberculosis treatment among TB patients in this study is high. Both health facility and patient-related factors were largely responsible.