Barriers to treatment adherence of tuberculosis patients: A qualitative study in West Bengal, India
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 5
Abstract
Background: Defaulter (loss to follow-up) tuberculosis (TB) patients present a challenge to TB program by increasing drug resistance and transmission. Knowing factors contributing to non-adherence to TB treatment might help the program implementers to develop appropriate strategies to tackle the problem. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore factors contributing to non-adherence among defaulter TB patients and to delve into the perceived barriers to adherence according to directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) providers and staffs of TB unit (TU) at Burdwan Municipality. Materials and Methods: A total of 14 in-depth interviews of defaulter TB patients, 4 focus group discussions with 30 DOTS provider, and 4 key informant interviews with staffs of TU were conducted from May to November 2017 at Burdwan Municipality, West Bengal. The analysis of free list and pile sort data obtained was undertaken using Anthropac 4.98.1/X Software. Results: Key reasons contributing to default appeared to be addiction, improvement and non-improvement of symptoms, side effect and pill burden with long regime of the drugs, loss of daily wages, lack of awareness, stigma, poverty, non-referral by private practitioner, familial problem, negative counseling by friends, and perceptions of government medicines are bad. Conclusion: Triangulation of the response from patients, DOTS providers, TB health visitors, and senior treatment supervisor divulged certain contributing factors for non-adherence to TB treatment in the municipality such as addiction and side effect of the drug. Policymakers may consider inclusion of causality analysis and psychological counseling in the program for assessing true burden of drug-related adverse effects and for fighting the effect of addiction, respectively.
Authors and Affiliations
Tridibes Bhattacharya, Soumalya Ray, Puspendu Biswas, Dilip Kumar Das
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP482597
- DOI 10.5455/ijmsph.2018.0102220022018
- Views 82
- Downloads 0
Prevalence of smoking cigarette and water pipes among medical students in Taif University, Taif-KSA
Background: Smoking cigarette and water pipes (also known as shisha, hubbly bubbly, narghiles, hookahs, and goza) is quite common among youth not only nationally but also internationally. Objective: To understand...
Newborn care practices of mothers in rural areas of Navsari district
Background: Newborn mortality is one of the world’s most neglected health problems. It is estimated that globally four million newborns die before they reach 1 month of age and another four million are stillborn...
Early surgical management in patients with benign enlargement of prostate with economical constraints
Background: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) to treat benign enlargement of prostate (BEP) has been the gold standard for decades. It has been demonstrated to be efficient, cost-effective and durable with l...
Association of physical activity, nature of job, and exercise with the prevalence of essential hypertension in the Tharparkar desert
Background: The prevalence of essential hypertension (EHTN) is quite low in individuals who perform more body activities and exercise as opposed to those who spend a sedentary lifestyle. Regular physical activity red...
Changing food pattern in adolescents and impact on health
Background: Lifestyle changes has compelled us so much that one has very little time to really think what we are eating. 'Eat healthy and live healthy', one of the essential requirement for long life is no...