STUDIES ON MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS

Nasara Reddy Nakka, M. Geeravani, M. Kranthi Kumar, Tejaswi.V, K. Mudiyarasan, G. Gopala Krishnan

Tuberculosis is a serious public health issue causing immense morbidity, mortality, and distress. This prospective study was conducted at DOTS centre in the Department of TB&CHEST at RMMCH. Pre-determinant questionnaire was used to assess the patient’s knowledge and adherence before and after counselling. Pill Count Method was used to assess the medication adherence rate on the monthly basis. WHO-QoL BREF which has four domains was used to assess the impact of TB on QoL. Before treatment, scores in all domains were significantly lower in patients than controls, more affected were psychological and social relationship domains. Gradual increase in scores was observed over the course of the treatment and counselling. Hence patient counselling shows positive impact on understanding their illness, the role of the medications in the treatment for improving adherence rates. This would enable health care professionals to devise relevant interventions such as patient counselling which would be useful in further improving quality of TB control programs.