ABSTRACT
Objectives The Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association and the Lusaka district health office conducted Community Mobilization for TB/HIV Care Project at three health centres in Lusaka, Zambia from 2012 to 2015. This study describes the assessment of the factors associated with high participation rates of tuberculosis (TB) treatment supporters (TSs) in patient support activities. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted for the evaluation. Information about individual participation to the weekly patient support activities at the health centres between September 2014 and February 2015 was drawn from the health centres’ administrative records. Data were collected between February and March 2015 via a structured questionnaire administered to TSs working at the health centres. Descriptive, univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with high participation of TSs. Results For the 74 respondents, the average monthly participation rate between September 2014 and February 2015 was 83.2%. The rate was tended to be over 80% for the TSs who had temporary work or no work, or were housewives, and those who had experience as a group leader. The TSs who did not complete primary education were positively associated with participating over 80% of the time compared to those who had a secondary or higher education. Conclusion The study provided information on the higher participation of TSs’ activities including their job, education status and leadership experiences. In recruiting TSs, priority should be given to those who have a temporary job or no work, or are housewives. Those who have lower education levels should not be excluded from the selection because they participated more often. Selecting an individual as a leader may facilitate the commitment of the person to the activities. These can be used in selection criteria of TSs in the similar setting.