Factors associated with non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment in the Vhembe District, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Failure to adhere TB patients to tuberculosis therapy is a major challenge that challenges the efforts to eradicate tuberculosis. While ground-breaking approaches have been introduced to reduce the number of people who are unable to finish their prescribed TB drugs, there is still quite a high number of TB clients around the world who do not complete their medication. This could be attributed to inadequate understanding of factors that influence TB treatment among TB clients. This study sought to explore factors that are associated with nonadherence to TB treatment. Purpose: The objective of the study was to explore the factors associated with non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment among patients in the Vhembe District, South Africa. Methodology: In order to explore the factors that contribute to non-completion of prescribed anti-tuberculosis treatment the study used a explorative and descriptive qualitative approach design. The populations of the study were community health workers in the Vhembe district. The current study utilised a non-probability purposive sampling to select the participants. Data was collected using in-depth face to face interviews, and after interviewing 21 participants, data saturation was achieved. Ethical principles for human subjects was maintained throughout the study. Findings: The study revealed that a number of economic, social, personal and medication related factors are responsible for failure to complete TB treatment in the Vhembe district. Economic factors, namely lack of money for transportation and food, were reported to be the cause of non-compliance with TB treatment. The study also found that personal factors such as inadequate information about TB treatment, substance abuse, and fear of stigma among TB patients contribute to non-completion of prescribed TB treatment. Recommendations: The study recommends that TB clients should be thoroughly counselled before they get treatment. Furthermore, they should be provided with financial and social support during treatment.