Identification of factors associated with non-adherence and discontinuation of antitubercular drugs in patients with tuberculosis

Abstract

The effectiveness of the anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) depends on adherence to the proposed highly effective therapeutic scheme. When the patient starts ATT and fails to come to the healthcare facility for more than 30 consecutive days from the date scheduled for his return, it is considered abandonment. The objective was to identify the difficulties associated with non-adherence and abandonment of the ATT regimen and evaluate the regulation of anti-tuberculosis drugs in Kyrgyzstan. Patients with tuberculosis make the decision to abandon treatment because they are unaware of the time needed, the continuity of treatment, and for reasons of the disappearance of signs and symptoms. The use of alcohol and illicit drugs has a poor prognosis for the treatment, factors that predispose patients to abandon the treatment and prolong the drug therapy. The majority of the patients discontinue treatment because of adverse effects, contributing to the interruption of treatment, so patients should be assisted regularly. To strengthen the requirements for the quality of purchased anti-tuberculosis drugs, when drawing up the technical specification of the government decree of Kyrgyzstan, it is necessary to give preference to drugs that have been prequalified by World Health Organization or evaluated by strict regulatory authorities.