Epidemiology & Public Health

Statement of the problem Tuberculosis is still global health problem worldwide. In Indonesia, incidence of the disease is remains high including Medan. Many factors contribute to high incidence, one of them is  non compliance to treatment that impact on the disease relaps and increasing new cases.

The purpose of the study to determine factors related to non compliance to treatment involving socio-demographic factors and health services.  

Methodology: This was unmatched case control study with total number of study recruits was 105 at a case: control ratio of 1:2 . Cases was people with pulmonary tuberculosis and control was people without pulmonary tuberculosis. Sample selected using purposive sampling using inclusion criteria such as age more than 15 years old and with smear sputum examination positive or Rontgen examination positive.

Findings Of the Multiple logistic regression revealed that duration of treatment more than 6 months, poor knowledge about tuberculosis, poor perception regarding tuberculosis and lack of family support were significant factors for non-adherence to treatment, while age, sex, income, distance of residence from health service, waiting time for taking medicine, transportation for taking medicine, availability of drug, tuberculosis counseling, Health personnel in tuberculosis program and cost for TB drug were non significant factors for non compliance to treatment.

Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors such as duration of treatment, poor knowledge about tuberculosis, poor perception regarding tuberculosis and lack of family support were predictor for non compliance to tuberculosis treatment.

Recommendation: Health  education regarding tuberculosis and prevention should be intensified to improve knowledge and perception of the community about tuberculosis by involving other sectors.