A SURVEY STUDY ON NON-COMPLIANCE WITH TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT AMONG PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM TUBERCULOSIS IN IMO STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ORLU L.G.A, IMO STATE

Abstract Tuberculosis is a major health problem worldwide, particularly in low-income countries that cannot afford effective prevention or treatment, and in countries where HIV disease is common. The objectives in this study are to assess the knowledge and causes of non-compliance with tuberculosis treatment, and to identify strategies for improvement of patients’ compliance with care and treatment of tuberculosis among patients suffering from tuberculosis. Descriptive design was used to gather information about non-compliance with tuberculosis treatment among patients suffering from tuberculosis in Imo State Teaching Hospital Orlu L.G.A, Imo State. A simple random technique was used which involved random selection of participants. From the study, 60 strongly agreed, 10 agreed, 5 strongly disagreed, and 5 disagreed that tuberculosis is an infectious disease. 0 strongly agreed, 10 agreed, 60 strongly disagreed, 10 disagreed that it is a spiritual attack. 5 strongly disagreed, 30 agreed, 30 strongly disagreed, 15 agreed that it is heredity, while 0 strongly agreed, 0 agreed, 20 strongly disagred, and 60 disagreed that it is a congenital disease. Based on the findings, 40 strongly agreed, 40 agreed, 0 strongly disagreed, 0 disagreed of the respondents did not think adherence to treatment regime is important. Analysis further showed that, 40 strongly agreed, 40 agreed, 0 strongly disagreed, 0 disagreed that side-effects of the drugs caused their non-compliance, while 30 strongly agreed, 30 agreed, 10 strongly disagreed, 10 disagreed that the use of complementary and alternative medicine (natural) for their non-compliance. Also, 60 strongly agreed, 20 agreed, 0 strongly disagreed, and 0 disagreed of the respondents are of the opinion that patients should be given instructions about the use and importance of the anti-TB drug providers. There is need for hospitalization for actual diseases, specific treatment other than regimen. There should be implementation of a tuberculosis control program in general hospitals and provide supervised treatment at least for patients with parameters considered predictive for non-compliance. The study recommended that a large population of the respondent is aware of what tuberculosis is but they lack the thorough knowledge which affects their compliance to treatment. Keywords: non-compliance, tuberculosis treatment, tuberculosis patients.