Factors Influencing Knowledge on the Completion of Treatment among Tuberculosis Patients under Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) in a Selected Health Facility, the Bahamas

Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors influencing completion of DOTS in Tuberculosis treatment in the Bahamas. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional survey. Tuberculosis patients aged 18 years and above were considered regardless of the site or the smear status of their TB. The sample size was 40. Data analysis and interpretation were done using the statistical package for the social sciences software (SPSS version 22), through the exploration and calculation of descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and inferential (Anova) statistical methods. Statistical significance was determined to be a p - value of 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents, was 39.9 years, SD 11.65, and 73% of them were men. 63% of participants, 78% of whom were citizens of the Bahamas, reported having no annual income. Seventy-eight percent (31) of the participants said they had insufficient food and drink while they were unwell. More than half of the participants in the survey reported being on at least one pharmaceutical regimen, although 36% said they were not actively taking any of the prescription medications. Conclusion: Less than a third were noncompliant with DOTS, this was influenced by factors such as annual income, no family support, marital status, employment status, and educational level.