Table 3 Perceptions toward adherence
Adherence items | Frequency | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|
Most important thing that helps TB patients stay on treatment for 6 months | They stick to the rules of treatment | 323 | 31.8 |
They want to show others that TB is like any other curable disease | 159 | 15.6 | |
They don't drink or smoke while on treatment | 147 | 14.5 | |
They want to be cured so they can get on with their lives | 124 | 12.2 | |
They have a sympathetic DOTS volunteer who helps them stay on treatment | 87 | 8.6 | |
They have support from family and friends | 72 | 7.1 | |
They have enough food to eat | 43 | 4.2 | |
They don't listen when people gossip about them | 38 | 3.7 | |
They are strong willed | 23 | 2.3 | |
Total | 1016 | 100 | |
First main reason TB patients stop taking their treatment before they are cured | They feel better and think they are cured | 547 | 53.8 |
They are afraid people will talk badly about them when they go to the clinic to collect their pills | 289 | 28.4 | |
They do not want to be seen standing in the same queue as people collecting Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) | 94 | 9.2 | |
They forget to take their medicine because they drink and smoke | 64 | 6.3 | |
They are irresponsible and cannot be bothered to take their medicine | 21 | 2.1 | |
Their families and friends are not supportive | 2 | 0.2 | |
Total | 1017 | 100 | |
Second main reason TB patients stop taking their treatment before they are cured | They forget to take their medicine because they drink and smoke | 414 | 41.2 |
They are irresponsible and cannot be bothered to take their medicine | 244 | 24.3 | |
They do not want to be seen standing in the same queue as people collecting ARVs | 128 | 12.7 | |
Their families and friends are not supportive | 122 | 12.1 | |
They are afraid people will talk badly about them when they go to the clinic to collect their pills | 75 | 7.5 | |
They feel better and think they are cured | 22 | 2.2 | |
Total | 1005 | 100 |