INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment default contributes to the perpetuation of the epidemic and increases the risk of emergence of new forms of multidrug-resistant TB. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with treatment default in Chad. METHOD: This prospective study interviewed 286 patients with pulmonary TB in three centers, recruited at the beginning of treatment. We compared patients who completed the treatment to the treatment defaulters. A logistic regression model was fit to identify factors associated with default. RESULT: 32% of patients defaulted, that is, abandoned treatment. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that a low educational level and ignorance of the contagious nature of TB were associated with treatment interruption. CONCLUSION: TB education, patient assistance, and active tracing of patients who fail to return can help to prevent abandonment of TB treatment.
INTRODUCTION:Tuberculosis (TB) treatment default contributes to the perpetuation of the epidemic and increases the risk of emergence of new forms of multidrug-resistant TB. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with treatment default in Chad. METHOD: This prospective study interviewed 286 patients with pulmonary TB in three centers, recruited at the beginning of treatment. We compared patients who completed the treatment to the treatment defaulters. A logistic regression model was fit to identify factors associated with default. RESULT: 32% of patients defaulted, that is, abandoned treatment. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that a low educational level and ignorance of the contagious nature of TB were associated with treatment interruption. CONCLUSION: TB education, patient assistance, and active tracing of patients who fail to return can help to prevent abandonment of TB treatment.