Influences of Education and Counselling on Prompt Initiation of Treatment among People Living with Tuberculosis in the Volta Region, Ghana

Background: Education and counselling of people with TB play an important role by instilling an understanding of risk factors and the impact of bad habits, the skills necessary for a responsible attitude to one’s health, self-preservation behaviour, and, thus, initiating prompt treatment to a successful completion — in other words, a cure. Objective: This study attempts to investigate the influences of education and counselling on prompt initiation of treatment among people living with tuberculosis in the Volta Region, Ghana. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was employed with 400 participants. Frequency distribution, Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Results: Medication dosage was statistically significant related to prompt initiation of tuberculosis treatment at p=0.002, (OR=3.569, 95%CI ([1.604-7.942]). Appointment schedules and risk percentages was statistically significant at P=0.000, (OR=4.926, 95%CI [2.335-10.389]). Self-care, communication and advocacy skills was statistically significant at p=0.02, (OR=3.569, 95%CI [1.604-7.942]). The study recommends that patients should endeavour to join the education that goes on during hospital visit for it supports their access to high-quality care, controls their overall healthcare spending and improves their literacy outcomes. It also allows them partner with their doctors in their healthcare journey.