Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment default

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out at Azad Kashmir Combined Military Hospital [AK CMH]/Sheik Khalifa Bin Zyad [SKBZ] Muzaffarabad [MZD] designed for patients defaulting from tuberculosis treatment from 1.1.2013 to 31.12.2013. This study included 110 adults with diagnosis of TB treatment default. The study protocol incorporated structured questionnaire, physical examinations, radiological, laboratory investigations and potential factors for TB treatment defaults. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-20, the chi square test was done and p<0.05 was considered as statistical significance. PLUM-Ordinal regression analysis revealed that many clinical variables have statistical significant association with tuberculosis treatment defaults. Factors identified to be associated with treatment default were male gender [p<0.007], distance from the health post [p<0.007], displacement [p<0.024], financial Constraints [p<0.00 1], no body at home to bring medicine or take patients to hospital [p = 0.001], route closed in winters [p = 0.001], improvement from symptoms [0.009] and went abroad [0.001]. Determinants of treatment defaults and associated factors should he considered in treatments plan and Policy actions to tuberculosis control programs. Information on disease, treatment plan and education of the individual along with population should be done in order to minimize treatment default and spread of multi drug resistance to anti-TB drugs