Tuberculosis treatment interruption

Abstract

This quantitative, descriptive study investigated factors that contributed to TB patients registered in four Tembisa clinics in 2001, defaulting treatment. An interview schedule with closed and open-ended questions was used for 30 patients who could be traced who had interrupted treatment.

The reasons for treatment interruption were related to socio-economic, TB policy-related and health care worker-related factors. The findings illustrate that TB management requires a multi-sectoral approach and joint efforts to tackle the disease that continues to kill people even though it is curable.