ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: : Current tuberculosis (TB) eradication strategies have shifted away from the medical sphere, focusing on a more holistic approach that encompasses both healthcare and social support. This means a greater emphasis on TB prevention strategies, particularly on social determinants of TB. Using a locality in Malaysia as a case study, a research was carried out among 844 TB cases in Pasir Mas, Kelantan (2013 to 2017) to identify the socioeconomic distributions of TB defaulters and its implications for current TB prevention strategies. Methods: TB patients’ sociodemographic characteristics and treatment outcomes were extracted and analyzed from the Malaysian registry. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to determine sociodemographic factors associated with TB defaulters. Results: Gender, age and education levels were significantly associated with default treatment (p<0.05), highlighting the need to focus on adult male patients with low educational background. Conclusion: Results indicate that current national TB management needs to focus on targeting those at increased risk of defaulting by understanding gender-specific challenges to treatment. While more research is needed to explore the gender associated issues related to treatment defaulting, we are also calling for a change in current TB management practices to one that focuses on gender-specific intervention that addresses personal and societal challenges to TB treatment.