ABSTRACT
Background: India saw one of the stringent lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the wake of this period, the normal functioning of medical services was affected. People were reluctant to seek medical attention and notification of Tuberculosis dipped. The aim of the study was to estimate the proportion of non-adherence to anti-tubercular treatment and to identify the factors affecting the non-adherence to treatment. Methods: A retrospective community-based study was conducted among 284 tuberculosis patients. They were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire consisting of WHO dimensions of non-adherence and lockdown related questions. Results: The proportion of non-adherence to treatment was found to be 5.3%. Factors like chronic diseases, depression, without knowledge on how the disease is transmitted and that medication can be discontinued once the symptoms subsided, alcohol consumption, and trouble accessing medicine were found to be the determining factors in non-adherence to the treatment. Conclusions: Non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment in our study was low but the various dimensions of adherence along with lockdown related factors had significant impact on it. To further minimize non-adherence during emergency like the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, corrective measures must be explored and implemented.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: COVID-19 is caused by a novel virus and is known to be an infectious respiratory disease affecting more than 200 countries and union territories of the world. 80% of the patients are shown to have mild to moderate disease. Illness prevention is the mainstay of getting away from the condition with the non-availability of vaccines or medicine. Methods: The aim & objective of this study is to describe the behavioral insight (knowledge, attitude & practice) regarding preventive measures of COVID-19 among the teaching hospital staff. An institutional-based descriptive study was conducted among 168 staff, including lab technicians, doctors, staff nurses, and other supporting staff of a tertiary hospital using a convenient sampling technique. The data were obtained by interviewing staff with a pre-tested semi-structured schedule. Result: The study results showed that most of the respondents were found to have good knowledge, attitude, and practice towards preventive measures such as social distancing, hand hygiene, face mask, and PPE Kit. 88% of participants were using 3 layered medical masks, and most of them (63%) were using a regular wash of face mask. Among most respondents, no gap between knowledge and practice was seen;however, proper use, handling, and disposal of face masks and other PPE was a concern. Conclusion: Therefore, there is a need to improve the knowledge of COVID-19 among healthcare workers, which is possible with the availability of good quality Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials. © 2022 IJPH.
ABSTRACT
Background: India saw one of the stringent lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the wake of this period, the normal functioning of medical services was affected. People were reluctant to seek medical attention and notification of Tuberculosis dipped. The aim of the study was to estimate the proportion of non-adherence to anti-tubercular treatment and to identify the factors affecting the non-adherence to treatment. Methods: A retrospective community-based study was conducted among 284 tuberculosis patients. They were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire consisting of WHO dimensions of non-adherence and lockdown related questions. Results: The proportion of non-adherence to treatment was found to be 5.3%. Factors like chronic diseases, depression, without knowledge on how the disease is transmitted and that medication can be discontinued once the symptoms subsided, alcohol consumption, and trouble accessing medicine were found to be the determining factors in non-adherence to the treatment. Conclusions: Non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment in our study was low but the various dimensions of adherence along with lockdown related factors had significant impact on it. To further minimize non-adherence during emergency like the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, corrective measures must be explored and implemented. © The Author(s). 2022 Open Access.