Medication nonadherence and associated factors in patients with tuberculosis in Wau, South Sudan: a cross- sectional study using the world health organization multidimensional adherence model

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis medication nonadherence is a multi-dimensional public health problem with serious consequences worldwide. There is little information available for medication nonadherence in South Sudan. This study assessed the proportion, reasons, and associated factors for nonadherence among patients with TB in Wau Municipality, South Sudan.

Methods A health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 234 tuberculosis (TB) patients receiving first line anti-TB regimen in Wau Municipality. Urine isoniazid metabolite testing (IsoScreen®) was used to determine nonadherence (visualized by negative test results) and a questionnaire was used to describe the reasons for nonadherence. Modified poisson regression with robust standard errors was performed since the proportion of nonadherence was < 10%, to identify nonadherence associated factors using the WHO Multidimensional adherence model.

Results Out of 234 participants, 24.8% (95% CI, 19.2 − 30.3) were nonadherent to the TB treatment regimen. At multivariate analysis, nonadherence was significantly associated with: relief of symptoms (APR 1.93, 95% CI 1.12 − 3.34, p = 0.018), alcohol use (APR 2.12, 95% CI 1.33 − 3.96, p = 0.019) and waiting time to receive drugs (APR 1.77, 95% CI 1.11 − 2.83, p = 0.017).

Conclusion Tuberculosis medication nonadherence was high, and it’s associated with patients’ relived of symptoms, alcohol use, and prolonged waiting time at health facility. Hence, addressing these barriers and the use of multifaceted interventions e.g. counseling, health education and improve appointments are crucial to reduce nonadherence among patients with TB in South Sudan.