title: Factors influencing knowledge on completion of treatment among TB patients under directly observed treatment strategy, in selected health facilities in Embu County, Kenya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) strategy as the standard to increase adherence to Tuberculosis (TB) medication. However, cases of retreatment and Multi Drug Resistant continue to be reported in many parts of Kenya. This study sought to determine the factors influencing the completion of tuberculosis medication among TB patients in Embu County, Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of tuberculosis patients under DOT attending selected TB treatment clinics in Embu County, in Kenya. One hundred and forty TB patients interviewed within a period of 3 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 and included Bivariate and Multivariate Analysis. The level of significance was p≤ 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The male and female participants were 61.4% and 38.6% respectively. The mean age of the respondents was 35±31.34-39.3 years. For the majority (52%) of the participants, the highest level of education was primary education. The unemployed participants formed the highest number of the respondent in the study (73%). The majorities (91.4%0) of the respondents were under the home-based DOT strategy (91.4%, 95% C.I: 85.5-95.5). Bivariate analysis using Chi-square showed that the level of education (p=0.003), patients feeling uncomfortable during supervision (p=0.01), and knowledge regarding the frequency of taking medication (p=0.004) were all significantly associated with knowledge regarding the importance of completion of medication. However, none of these factors was significant after multivariate analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most participants did not know the importance of completion of medication. TB programs should come up with better ways to educate TB patients on the importance of supervision and treatment completion during the treatment of TB. The education programs should focus on influencing the attitudes of patients and creating awareness about the importance of treatment completion. The TB programs should be designed towards eliminating the factors influencing the completion of TB medication.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O.BOX 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Joshua Muriuki
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ndwiga
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O.BOX 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kikuvi
authors.affiliation: Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation Kenya P.O. Box 225-00202 Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Jared Odhiambo
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Omolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
keywords: Directly observed treatment; Tuberculosis (TB); treatment completion