A cross-sectional study to assess the factors influencing adherence to directly observed treatment short course among tuberculosis patients in Udupi district

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem and continues to be endemic in certain parts of India. This study was conducted to find the sociodemographic factors and lifestyle-related factors influencing adherence to directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) and the side effects of antitubercular (ATT) drugs among TB patient on DOTS in Udupi district, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: A total of 158 TB-registered patients taking DOTS treatment in Udupi district were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was adopted to assess the adherence level of treatment. Results: About 59.5% of the respondents were having adherence and 40.5% had no adherence to the treatment. Around 26% were alcoholic. Majority of them (86.7%) experienced at least one of the side effects of the ATT drugs. On multivariate analysis, primary education (P = 0.047), pre-university and above (P = 0.025), daily wage workers (P = 0.013), salaried persons (P = 0.015), and traveling cost (P = 0.016) were associated with DOTS adherence. However, predisposing factors such as addictions and the side effects of the ATT drugs did not show any significant association. Conclusion: The greater proportion of the TB patients was adhering to DOTS. Factors such as education, employment status, and traveling cost had a significant association with DOTS adherence. Factors such as discrimination and side effects of ATT were barriers to DOTS adherence.