Defaulting from Tuberculosis Treatment in Addis Ababa Tuberculosis Centre and factors Associated With IT
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Date
1992-03
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
A study was done on tuberculosis patients registered at the
Addis Ababa TB Centre during the period September 1, 1989 to August
31, 1990 to determine the rate of defaulting from treatment and to
identify factors associated with it.
An initial chart review of 1206 new tuberculosis patients
registered during the period September 1, 1989 to August 31, 1990
was carried out in order to determine the rate of defaulting. The
overall defaulter rate, specific rate by sex, age, and distance
were calculated. A sample of defaulters(cases) was then selected
by simple random sampling and all the non-defaulters were taken as
controls. The cases and controls were traced and interviewed by
trained research assistants using a pretested questionnaire. The
two groups were compared by social, demographic, and health
variables.
A high rate of defaulting of 82% was found. The rates of
defaulting were higher in males, in the older age groups and -in
those living nearer. Most of the defaulting occurred in the third
and fourth months of treatment. Inadequate knowledge, negative
attitude to the TB centre and low educational level were found to
be statistically significant risk factors for defaulting( p<0.Oa01,
p<0.05,and p<0.001 respectively). Nearer distance was also found
to be a statistically significant risk factor for defaulting( p<
.001). In the analysis of reasons for defaulting social and
personal problems and feeling of improvement were the top two
reasons.
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In conclusion, such a high rate defaulting suggest inadequacy
in the current control program. The major factor contributing to
this high rate of defaulting appears to be lack of knowledge of
patients about their disease.
recommendations were made.
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Based on these
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Keywords
Defaulting from Tuberculosis Treatment in Addis Ababa