Predictors of non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis medication in tuberculosis patients in Thailand

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of and correlates the non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis (TB) medication in tuberculosis patients in Thailand. In 2014, a cross-sectional interview survey was conducted among 225 TB patients across 42 hospitals, 21 provinces, in all four regions in Thailand. Systematic sampling was used for all new TB and new retreatment patients within one month of the anti-TB treatment. The dependent variable was the self-reported TB medication non-adherence (<90% anti-TB medication). Results indicate that 15.6 percent of TB patients had been non-adherent to their TB medication in the past 10 days. In multivariate logistic regression, male gender, secondary or higher education, was diagnosed with TB through community screening, being a retreatment TB patient and not having chosen their own DOT supporter was associated with TB medication non-adherence. Findings can be used to apply to practice levels to improve TB treatment adherence.