Factors Influencing Patients’ Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment Before and During COVID 19 Era in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

Background: Obviously, if a TB patient does not adhere to treatment, symptoms may not be relieved or the disorder may not be cured. Objective: The study investigates the factors influencing patients’ TB treatment adherence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana. Methods: This descriptive study employed cross-sectional study design with 114 participants who were randomly selected from the Directly Observed treatment, short–course (DOTs) register. Descriptive analysis was conducted to summarise participants’ responses under each research question. Simple logistic regression analysis was done to determine factors that influence TB patients’ treatment adherence before and during COVID-19. Results: The study revealed an increase in treatment success rate during the COVID-19 period. That is from 82.7% before COVID-19 to 89.1% during COVID-19. The study revealed a decrease in default 1.1% and death 4.3% during the COVID-19 period. Out of 114 participants, majority (81.6%) indicated that there was an adequate supply of medicine during the COVID-19 period for their intake anytime they visited the TB clinic. About seventy-three (72.8%) of the participants reported that they had difficulties in receiving their medication due to the lockdown during the COVID-19 period. Participants who received counselling about TB before treatment was significant at [AOR=4.90(CI: 1.34-17.81), p=0.016]. Satisfied with TB health services was significant at [AOR=18.2 (CI: 5.16-64.12), p=0.001]. Participants who attained a tertiary level of education was significant at [AOR=0.07 (CI:0.01–0.47), p=0.005]. Conclusion: Despite the significant disruption of healthcare activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, verified TB treatment adherence at the Hohoe Municipality, Volta Regional Hospital was sustained in the setting of increased vDOT utilization.