The impact of meaning in life and life goals on adherence to a tuberculosis medication regimen in South Africa.
METHODS
Out-patient tuberculosis (TB) clinics in Durban, South Africa.


OBJECTIVE
Health care provider concerns about persons with active TB defaulting on medications led to a study of adherence among persons receiving anti-tuberculosis therapy and, specifically, the relationships between meaning in life, life goals, sense of coherence, social support, symptom presence and intensity, and adherence in individuals diagnosed with TB.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to gather self-reported data from TB-infected individuals who were enrolled in out-patient clinics. Data were collected from 159 Zulu and/or English-speaking persons who agreed to participate in the study.


RESULTS
A significant relationship was found between higher life goals and adherence to TB treatment (P = 0.027). Analysis of variance revealed that higher meaning in life ratings were significantly associated with older age (P = 0.007). Having children and children living in the same household were significantly associated with low meaning in life ratings (P = 0.006 and P < or = 0.001, respectively), indicating that these individuals were more concerned about basic matters of home and sustenance.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that meaning in life and life goals may be useful for identifying individuals who will require additional support in adhering to anti-tuberculosis treatment.
Corless
I B
IB
Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts 02129, USA. Icorless@mghihp.edu
Nicholas
P K
PK
Wantland
D
D
McInerney
P
P
Ncama
B
B
Bhengu
B
B
McGibbon
C
C
Davis
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D019369:Life; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D013019:South Africa; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D026712:Value of Life