E A Dodor1. 1. Communicable Diseases Unit, Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi, Ghana. eadodor@hotmail.com
Abstract
SETTING: Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, located at Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital and third largest city of the Western Region of Ghana. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with treatment default among tuberculosis (TB) patients registered for treatment in 2000-2001. DESIGN: Retrospective review of institutional records of TB patients. METHOD: The database for registered TB patients was sorted out into the six treatment outcomes. Five outcomes were combined into one variable named 'non-defaulters' and were compared with defaulters. Statistical significance was taken as P < 0.05. RESULTS: The defaulter rate for all categories of patients was 13.9%. Default from treatment was significantly associated with male sex, smear positivity and living in communities far from the treatment centre. Patients in the 25-44 year age group and those put on the retreatment regimen have higher defaulter rates, but these were not statistically significant when compared to non-defaulters. The mean defaulting moment was 3.4 months. The overall probability of a patient remaining on treatment 5 months after starting was 3.6%. CONCLUSION: Treatment centres should be sited near the patients to improve access. Further studies are needed to identify the barriers for patients in completing their treatment.
SETTING: Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, located at Sekondi-Takoradi, the capital and third largest city of the Western Region of Ghana. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with treatment default among tuberculosis (TB) patients registered for treatment in 2000-2001. DESIGN: Retrospective review of institutional records of TB patients. METHOD: The database for registered TB patients was sorted out into the six treatment outcomes. Five outcomes were combined into one variable named 'non-defaulters' and were compared with defaulters. Statistical significance was taken as P < 0.05. RESULTS: The defaulter rate for all categories of patients was 13.9%. Default from treatment was significantly associated with male sex, smear positivity and living in communities far from the treatment centre. Patients in the 25-44 year age group and those put on the retreatment regimen have higher defaulter rates, but these were not statistically significant when compared to non-defaulters. The mean defaulting moment was 3.4 months. The overall probability of a patient remaining on treatment 5 months after starting was 3.6%. CONCLUSION: Treatment centres should be sited near the patients to improve access. Further studies are needed to identify the barriers for patients in completing their treatment.