Predictors of Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment Among Adolescents in Kano, Nigeria

• ¹, Bayero University and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, NG

Background: Poor adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment is common among young and vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents, despite various interventions aimed at improving treatment completion. Lack of a comprehensive and holistic understanding of barriers and facilitators of treatment adherence is currently a major obstacle to the elimination of tuberculosis.

Methods: The study aimed to determine the level of adherence and factors affecting tuberculosis treatment adherence among adolescents attending Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano. Using a cross-sectional study design, an interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 381 adolescents.

Results: The majority of the respondents (70.08%, n=267) had low adherence to anti-TB medication, 23.10% (n=88) had medium adherence and few (6.82%, n= 26) had higher adherence to anti-TB medication. Compared to adolescents between 10-13 years, those who were 14-17years (aOR:2.49 95% CI:1.23-7.40) and 18-19 years (aOR:3.02 95% CI:1.77-11.81) had higher odds of low adherence. Residence was associated with level of adherence as respondents from urban areas were 63% less likely to have low adherence (aOR:0.27, 95% CI:0.13-0.80) and 47% less likely to have moderate adherence (aOR:0.53, 95% CI:0.10-0.78).  Also, lower odds of having both moderate (aOR:0.17, 95% CI:0.25-0.96) and low adherence (aOR:0.31, 95% CI: 0.18-0.89) were seen among female adolescents. Similarly, having good and excellent relationships with other healthcare workers in the TB treatment centres was seen to reduce the likelihood of having low adherence (aOR:0.98, 95% CI:0.27-1.56).

Conclusion: There is need for healthcare workers in TB treatment centres to improve adherence counseling services among adolescents and their families.