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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Gopi
P G
PG
Tuberculosis Research Centre (ICMR), Mayor V.R. Ramanathan Road, Chetput, Chennai.
Vasantha
M
M
Muniyandi
M
M
Chandrasekaran
V
V
Balasubramanian
R
R
Narayanan
P R
PR
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents