Determining Patient-Related, Health Service-Related, and Socio-Cultural Factors for Non-Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment in Namibia

Abstract

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health issue in Namibia, and treatment adherence is crucial for effective disease

management. It is essential to identify the factors that contribute to non-adherence to enhance treatment outcomes

and decrease the transmission of TB. The study aims to identify patient-related, health service-related, and socio

cultural factors contributing to non-adherence to TB treatment among TB patients in Namibia.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 43 TB patients from different regions of Namibia.

Data were collected through surveys from patients undergoing TB treatment.

Results

The findings indicated that most of the participants (95%) lacked the motivation to adhere to the prescribed

treatment. All individuals admitted to being negligent regarding their treatment schedule, and if they saw positive

effects during the initial stage of treatment, they would discontinue their medication. Participants reported similar

experiences when they had negative emotions following the initial treatment. Most participants (88%) expressed that

the clinic hours were inconvenient, while all participants indicated that there was insufficient time allocated to discuss

concerns of medication adherence. Most respondents (79%) reported that the healthcare professionals were

unfriendly. Regarding cultural aspects, all participants expressed the idea that tuberculosis can be treated with

traditional remedies, while 95% acknowledged the presence of cultural beliefs related to tuberculosis in their society.

All participants held the belief that the sickness is attributed to a curse and poisoning, with 88% of participants

subscribing to the notion that tuberculosis is passed down through familial inheritance. The results show that socio

cultural factors, such as stigma, and patient-related factors, such as forgetfulness, significantly contribute to non

adherence.

Conclusion

This study emphasises the complex and varied factors that contribute to the lack of adherence to TB treatment in

Namibia, including important factors relating to the patients themselves, the healthcare services, and the socio

cultural context. It is crucial to implement focused interventions that specifically target these characteristics to

improve adherence rates. Effective strategies should encompass thorough patient education, enhanced healthcare

service delivery, and community involvement initiatives to diminish stigma and provide assistance to those with TB.