Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most infectious diseases if not treated properly it may lead to mortality. The directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) therapy is the choice of the treatment of TB.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were (1) to determine the factors influencing compliance of persons with TB to DOTS, (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of an awareness program on knowledge and compliance to DOTS among persons with TB, (3) to find the association between pre-test level of knowledge with selected sociodemographic variables, and (4) to find the association between pre-test level of compliance to DOTS with selected sociodemographic variables.
Materials and Methods: An evaluative approach with one group pre-test and post-test design was used as a research design in the study. 50 participants were selected as a sample using purposive sampling technique. The data were collected using structured knowledge questionnaire and compliance checklist through interview schedule
Results: The study result showed that the mean post-test knowledge score (17.32 ± 1.58) was higher than the mean pre-test knowledge score (10.80 ± 2.05) and t value is 27.22 at P < 0.05. Similarly, the mean post-test compliance score (8.92 + 0.72) was higher than the mean pre-test compliance score (6.00 ± 1.05) and t value is 9.369 at P < 0.05. The sociodemographic variable such as age and educational status was significantly associated with pre-test knowledge score (χ² = 5.993, P < 0.05, and χ² = 11.49, P < 0.05), respectively, and gender was significantly associated with pre-test compliance score (χ² = 4.482, P < 0.05). The main reason for noncompliance to DOTS therapy was difficult to take multiple drugs for a long period and data showed that family support (29.55%) was highly influencing to comply with DOTS therapy.
Conclusion: The awareness program was highly effective in increasing knowledge among TB person and compliance to DOTS therapy. Therefore, the knowledge and compliance of the TB person to DOTS therapy can be further improved by providing on-going awareness programs.
Key words: Tuberculosis; Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course Therapy; Knowledge; Compliance; Awareness Program
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