Defaulters of Tuberculosis Treatment Among MDR-TB Patients Attended in Forlanini/Lazaretto Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health issue, it’s one of the oldest diseases known to affect humans which remains one of the highest leading of mortality worldwide. The main purpose of this study was to assess the factors which influencing to non-adherence TB- Treatment (Defaulters) among TB patient at Forlanini/Lazaretto Hospital-Mogadishu-Somalia. Methodology: - descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among patients who were not-adhered their medication attending TBMUs (FORLANINI/LAZARETITO Hospital-Mogadishu-Somalia)-from March to May 2019. A total of 103 defaulters were the respondents during the study period by using non-probability convenient sampling method. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used using SPSS version 20 statistical software. The data were showed tables, figures and graphs for describing the data. Results: This study shades light on the defaulters of tuberculosis treatment among TB patients and it shows that the male population are the most people among the population who fail to complete the TB course of medication treatment with a percentage of 79.6% and women are recorded having much less percentage of defaulting TB medication with a percentage of 20.4%. In terms of education, those who have never been to school and the secondary level are least likely to default the medication with a percentage 12.6% each, followed post graduate level with 16.5% and university level having a percentage of 19.4%. The most likely patients that can default TB medication are the primary level population with a percentage of 38.8%the unemployed and the employed population have slight difference in the percentage of people who defaults the medication of TB with 32.0% and 30.1% respectively. The mothers who are housewives have a percentage of 16.5% and finally the employers have a percentage of 21.4% TB medical treatment defaults. Conclusion: the study concluded and recommended that there are urgent needs for continuous and effective health education for the patients and their families and social support when starting the medications to ensure adherence and compliance to anti tuberculosis drug as well as regular monitoring, counseling and follow-up with the patients and access to drugs and health care centers.