Treatment Adherence of Tuberculosis Patients Attending Two Reference Units in Equatorial Guinea

Abstract

Equatorial Guinea has one of the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in Africa. Incomplete adherence to TB treatment has been identified as one of the most serious remaining problem in tuberculosis control. The following study is aimed at determining the adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment in Equatorial Guinea and its determinants, as well as at assessing the knowledge of the people about the disease. In this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited by non-probabilistic consecutive sampling amongst patients who attended the reference units for TB in Bata and Malabo between March and July 2015. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected. Adherence to treatment and knowledge about TB were assessed by Morisky-Green-Levine and Batalla tests and a questionnaire on adherence related factors specifically prepared for this research. Descriptive statistics were computed to summarize the data and bivariate analyses by adherence profile were performed with χ2 test for categorical data. A total of 98 patients with TB were interviewed. 63.27% of interviewees had good knowledge about TB (Batalla test) while 78.57% of respondents were adherent according to the Morisky-Green-Levine test. A low educational level, lack of family support and lack of medical advice about the disease were significantly associated to lower adherence level. Patients with re-infection (due to relapse or treatment failure) and those who have suffered from drug shortages were also less adherents. The National Programme for TB Control should consider improving the early diagnosis and follow-up of TB cases, as well as the implementation of all components of DOTS (Directly observed Treatment, short-course) strategy all over the country.

Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence of Patients in Kosovo

“…All these variables were without impact between adherent and nonadherent patients, while the knowledge about whether TB is cured was significant between these two groups of patients. Similar results found other researchers presenting inadequate level of TB knowledge in patients in Equatorial Guinea [ 28 ] and Ethiopia [ 30 ].…”

“…We also found that education level and employment do not play a role in TB treatment adherence. Nevertheless, the educational attainment usually is correlated with patient's TB knowledge and seems to have an impact on TB treatment adherence, while the employment does not have an effect [ 22 , 28 ].…”

Health Belief Model and PRECEDE PROCEED on the Risk Factors of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis in Surakarta, Central Java

“…Direct association between educational level and perceptions was positive and significant. It is in accordance with the result of previous study that mentioned that there was an association between educational level and perceived benefit in which it influenced adherence toward treatments (Fagundez et al, 2016).…”

Association of Body Mass Index with Timing of Death during Tuberculosis Treatment

“…Previous studies have found that individuals with higher socioeconomic status have greater awareness and knowledge of TB [18], and are less likely to have delay in the diagnosis and treatment of TB [19]. Furthermore, prior reports showed that TB patients with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to have good adherence to TB treatment [20, 21], which could reduce the mortality during TB treatment. To improve TB treatment outcomes, future control programmes should target particularly patients who had a lower socioeconomic status.…”