Risk factors for non-adherence to directly observed treatment (DOT) in a rural tuberculosis unit, South India.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for non-adherence of tuberculosis (TB) patients to DOT. METHODS: Retrospective study of TB patients by logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for non-adherence. RESULTS: Of the 1666 patients interviewed, 1108 (67%) adhered and 558 (33%) did not adhere to DOT. Of 558 patients, the risk factors associated with non-adherence were illiteracy (39%), difficulty in accessing health facility (57%), and non-government DOT centre (43%). CONCLUSION: Patients should be educated about tuberculosis and importance of DOT. All DOT centres, including Non-government DOT centres, should be made more accessible and patient-friendly.