Treatment adherence in outpatient Tuberculosis patientsatHa Tinh Lung hospital in 2022 and some associatedfactors

Abstract

Background: Treatment adherence is considered as important and pivotal in the treatment andmanagement of Tuberculosis (TB) patients. This is still a big challenge of VietnamNationalTuberculosisControl Program, especially in the newcontext of the prolongedCOVID-19pandemic.Objectives: To describe the status of adherence to treatment and to identify some factorsaৼectingto the treatment adherence of TB patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study design using quantitative combined with qualitativemethodswasapplied. All 109 TB patients were selected for interviews with a structured questionnaireand23 in-depth interviews were conducted with TB patients, patients' family members andhealthworkers. Evaluation of electronic information through assessment of adherence tomedicationuse,compliance with follow-up visits and compliance with periodic testing. Results: The study collected information from 109 TB patients, 10 patients' family membersand03health workers involved in the outpatient TB management process. Adherence rate of TBpatientswas 45.9%. Some factors aৼecting the treatment adherence of TB patients include: educationlevel, average income, other comorbidities, Tuberculosis knowledge and understandingof TBtreatment adherence, family and relatives' help and support; supportive social organizations;patients aৼected by the COVID-19 epidemic; the supervision and support of healthworkers, theform of reminders of medication time and follow-up visits; undesirable eৼects of anti-tuberculosisdrugs, patients are provided with information about TB by health workers andTBinformationcenters, and patients' satisfaction with the provision of medical services. Conclusions: The rate of adherence to treatment of TB patients is still low. It is necessarytohavesolutionsto enhance treatment adherence of TB patients, thereby improving the eৼectiveness of treatment.