A study on Factors associated with non-adherence to ATT among pulmonary tuberculosis patients under RNTCP

Abstract

INTRODUCTION-India is the second-most populous country in the world but unfortunately, one fourth of the global incident TB cases occur in India annually. Tuberculosis treatment need multi drug combination to eradicate tuberculosis bacteria. Inability to complete the prescribed regimen, is an important cause of treatment failure, relapse, acquired drug resistance and continuous transmission of infection. OBJECTIVES-1. To study the sociodemographic characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis patients under RNTCP. 2. To study the factors associated with non adherence to ATT among them. MATERIALS AND METHODS-This study was a cross-sectional study, in which 93 patients of pulmonary tuberculosis who were non adherent to ATT were interviewed. Information regarding their personal and socio demographic data, treatment history and reasons for non adherence to ATT was obtained. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and percentages were calculated. RESULTS-In our study, majority of the non adherent patients were in the age group of 30-60 years, residents of rural area (72%), illiterate (76.3%) and from lower or upper lower socioeconomic status (76.3%). Maximum patients (36.5%) stopped their ATT during 3 rd month. adverse effects of ATT (54.8 %) was the most important reason followed by feeling of early improvement (32.8 %) and then family problem (31 %), loss of work (20.4 %), and stigma related (19.3%). CONCLUSION-Various reasons given by patients as causes of non adherence, mostly reflected the influence of poor background coupled with illiteracy and ignorance.

Clinico-radiological variability of pulmonary tuberculosis in young patients as compared to elder patients prior to RNTCP and after 18 years RNTCP

“…25 Study by Aashutosh Asati et al, has also shown that TB was found to be significantly associated with male gender, married individuals, smoking, drinking, and illiteracy. 26 Number of patients with a known history of contact with tubercular patient was higher in group 'A' patients i.e. 15% as compared to 6.8 % in group B in younger aged patients without any much difference among elders.…”

Tuberculosis patients not covered by treatment in public health services: findings from India's National Family Health Survey 2015–16

“…In our study, factors significantly associated with this group were patient's age, educational status, wealth index and type of health services from where treatment was sought for other illnesses. Other studies too have reported age, illiteracy, and poor socioeconomic status as risk factors for default . There is a need to focus on this high‐risk group with enhanced counselling and follow‐up services to retain them in the treatment network.…”