Factors associated with interruption of tuberculosis treatment among patients in Nandi County, Kenya 2015

Kenya is ranked 15th on the list of 22 high-tuberculosis (TB) burden countries with a case notification rate of 440 cases per 100,000 persons. Interruption of TB treatment is one of the major obstacles to effective TB treatment and control. Since 2009, emphasis has been on direct observation treatment short-course (DOTS) to ensure adherence. This study assessed the factors associated with interruption of treatment among patients on DOTS in Nandi County, Kenya.

we reviewed medical records and interviewed randomly selected persons from the County TB register, among those initiated on TB treatment between 1st January 2013 and 30th June 2014. Data on socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, behavioral factors, family support, health system factors, income, and lifestyle and treatment interruption (i.e., therapy discontinuation ≥ 2 weeks) were collected. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to evaluate factors associated with TB interruption and performed multivariable logistic regression to examine independent risk factors.

from a total of 1,287 records in the TB register, we randomly selected 280 patients for interview, out of whom 252 were traced. Of the 252 participants interviewed, 149 (59.1%) were males and the mean age was 40.0 (SD ± 15.3) years. Seventy-eight (31.0%) interrupted treatment. Treatment interruption was associated with personal monthly income ≤ 10,000 Kenya shillings ($100) (AOR 4.3, CI = 2.13-8.62) compared to income > 10,000 Kenya shillings, daily alcohol consumption of > 3 days per week (AOR 3.3, CI = 1.72-6.23) compared to consumption of ≤ 3 days per week and average waiting time at the health facility ≥ 1 hour (AOR 3.5 CI = 1.86-6.78) compared to waiting time < 1 hour.

we suggest expanding DOTS services to increase the number of service points for patients. This will probably reduce the waiting time by distributing the work load across many facilities. Intensifying patient counseling and education prior to initiation of treatment could also be adopted to cover effects of alcohol use during treatment and teach patients to take up some income generating activities.