Factors influencing non-adherence to tuberculosis treatment in a sub-district of the North West Province
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide concern that leads the researcher to the identification of a research gap regarding non-adherence. Non-adherence in this study refers to missed doses of treatment among pulmonary sputum smear positive TB patients due to various reasons (National Department of Health (NDoH), 2014a:51; Tola et al. 2015b:2). Non-adherence to TB treatment is an acknowledged problem aggravating the health risks of TB patients, loved ones and the community. The high transmission of TB, exaggerated TB morbidity, increasing development of TB-drug resistance and TB related mortality (NDoH, 2014a:5; World Health Organisation (WHO), 2015a:4). The National Tuberculosis Management Guidelines (NTMG) 2014 state, that in order to effectively cure TB, every patient's cooperation is required to avoid non-adherence for the entire six (6) months of treatment (NDoH, 2014a:41). DESIGN/DESIGN: A quantitative, cross sectional, descriptive research design was chosen to describe factors influencing adherence in pulmonary sputum positive TB patients in the Tlokwe sub-district. The researcher identified an internationally validated survey that could help measure these factors. The survey is known as the TB measuring adherence scale (TBMAS) and was used to collect data. The researcher also calculated the missed doses of patients who were non-adherent to treatment. DATA ANALYSIS: The researcher employed descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson's correlations and Cohen's effect sizes) in data analysis. The study population consisted of 63 available respondents during the time of data collection. The data from the TBMAS surveys was captured in an Excel sheet and was re-captured in second and third Excel worksheets. With the re-capturing of the data in three different Excel sheets, possible mistakes could be identified and corrected. Data were analysed by the North-West University's Statistical Consultation Services at the Potchefstroom Campus using SAS (SAS Institute Inc., 2016). Validity and reliability of the TBMAS was determined before any analysis was done to establish whether the results were reliable. RESULTS: The researcher interpreted the data in order to answer the research question. The study was evaluated, limitations identified, and recommendations were made for practice, education, research and policy. The study was unable to answer the research question adequately or to reach the aim and objective. The study therefor did not identify the factors contributing to non-adherence to TB treatment in patients with pulmonary sputum positive TB in the Tlokwe sub-district. The researcher then interpreted the data in order to answer the research question. The study was evaluated, limitations identified, and recommendations were made for practice, education, research and policy. CONCLUSION: The conclusion is that respondents who did not adhere were also classified as to be adherent and thus the adherence group was contaminated by non-adherence respondents.
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- Health Sciences [2060]