Behavior of Tuberculosis Patients with Irregular History of Tuberculosis Medication

Abstract

Background: To effectively control tuberculosis (TB), patients' behavior is essential since medication adherence and preventive actions lower drug resistance and transmission. Recuperation rates and public health outcomes are enhanced when patients receive education on infection prevention and treatment compliance.

Objectives: This research aimed to study the self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients and find guidelines to provide information to tuberculosis patients including to study the factors affecting the self-care behavior of tuberculosis patients who were treated in the medicine ward at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute.

Methodology: The study will be conducted during 10 November 2018 - 30 June 2020. The sample consisted of 19 tuberculosis patients with a history of taking intermittent tuberculosis drugs. The questionnaire was on the belief, knowledge of tuberculosis, and the causes of Intermittent medication.

Results: The result sample group most of them was male, there were 10 (52.6%) with a mean age of 42.58 years (SD = 13.504). The majority of them were unmarried at 11 (57.9%), education with a bachelor's degree of 5 people (26.3%), 13 people employed (68.4%). The majority of the sample had correct health beliefs, 15 (79.0%), and 10 (52.63%) of the correct knowledge of tuberculosis. Factors that lead to irregular drug intake are the patients themselves, the patient's job description, the economy, the state, and the psyche.

Conclusion: The patient factors affecting continuing tuberculosis treatment are important to enable patients to take care of themselves by taking medication. Healthcare workers are required to find ways to promote patient healthcare behaviors.