Factors that contribute to treatment defaulting amongst tuberculosis patients in Windhoek District, Namibia

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the factors that contribute to treatment defaulting amongst Tuberculosis (TB) patients at a major health centre in Windhoek district, Namibia. Methods: A descriptive and explorative qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted among ten TB defaulters. Key informant interviews were also conducted with the two TB nurses based at the health centre. Eligible participants were purposively selected. A thematic content analysis of transcribed data was conducted. Results: The study results indicate that defaulting TB treatment is a big challenge to TB management. The reasons for defaulting given by respondents were complex and included patient factors such as medication related factors, lack of knowledge and information as well as alcohol abuse. The findings also revealed unemployment as a major socio-economic factor that contributes to defaulting. In addition, the study shows that community, family, religious and cultural factors such as poor family support, work-related factors and religious and cultural beliefs have an influence on defaulting. Conclusions: The study concludes that no single factor contributed to treatment defaulting amongst TB patients in the selected health centre in Windhoek district and this concurred with the literature.

Determinants of tuberculosis treatment interruption among patients in Vihiga County, Kenya

“…This indicates that patients who interrupted treatment did not have a treatment supporter. Studies in rural and urban settings in Kenya [ 33 ], Hadiya Zone, South Ethiopia [ 34 ], and Windhoek District, Namibia [ 35 ] similarly found that treatment supporters are critical mitigation for treatment interruption. This is probably because treatment supporters directly observe patients while they take their medication, are likely to provide social support and remind patients about their clinic appointment.…”

South African adolescents' lived experiences of acquired hearing loss following multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment

“…TB patients have reported negative nurse attitudes which affected their adherence to treatment ( 45 , 47 ). In primary health care facilities in South Africa, TB patients sometimes experienced abusive attitudes by staff, even reporting being sworn and shouted at ( 48 , 49 ).…”

The implications of COVID-19 legislation on chronic ailments patients: perspectives from Botswana

“…At that point (2018), COVID-19 and its adverse effects were unimaginable. Endjala et al (2017) andFernandez-Lazaro1 et al (2019) established the following reasons for defaultingpatient-related factors such as community, family, cultural and religiousrelated factors; socio-economic factors; health service-related factors. Under lock down conditions, the defaulting has been exogenous and externally generated by the restricted movements.…”

“…Endjala et al (2017, p. 12) define adherence to treatment as the extent to which the patients take prescribed medication according to the instructions given by health workers or the engaged and accurate participation of an informed patient in a plan of care. Endjala et al (2017) define treatment defaulting as failure or interruption to take the prescribed treatment for a period of two consecutive months or longer. Chalker et al (2008, p. 195) argue that patients could be considered defaulters anywhere from 1 day to 6 months following a missed appointment.…”