DETERMINANTS OF NON ADHERENCE TO DRUG REGIMEN AMONG TB PATIENTS ATTENDING A SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, EDO STATE NIGERIA
Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death globally and in Nigeria that poses a threat. This study examine the determinants of nonadherence to drug regimen among TB patients in a Specialist Hospital, Edo state. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents of the study. The data were collected through the use of questionnaire with reliability index of 0.78. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, simple percentage and inferential statistics (chi square) The findings of the study revealed that 222 (56.6% respondents do not adhere to drug regimen while 171 (43.5% does. There was a significant relationship between distance of health facility (p=0.001) waiting time (p=0.000) absence of family support( p=0.000) forgetfulness (p=0.000) individual's occupation (p=0.000) improvement in TB symptoms( p=0.000) and non adherence to TB drugs but client provider interaction and TB drug side effect do not have a significant relationship on non adherence to TB drugs. The study recommends that government should make TB clinic should accessible by building and employing enough health workers. Also, families should be encouraged to support TB patients and TB patients on TB drugs should be educated on the needs to comply with drugs and not to discontinue it even when symptoms improve.