Prevalence and Factors Associated with Non-adherence to Antituberculosis Medications in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Background Non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) medication is a significant public health problem, associated with poor treatment outcomes such as drug resistance, relapse, increased economic burden, morbidity and mortality. Ensuring adherence to TB medication is key for treatment success. To effectively promote adherence, it is important to have a clear understanding of the factors associated with non-adherence. Objective The study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with non-adherence to medications among TB patients attending a Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the TB clinic of this hospital. A total of 362 participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Informed consent was obtained from each respondent prior to data collection. Non-adherence to TB medications was measured by using a validated tool with four questions. Factors independently associated with non-adherence were determined using multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis. Results The median age of study participants was 38 years (interquartile range: 30–46 years). The majority, 267 (73.8%) were aged between 18–45 years. Most participants, 246 (68%), were male. The prevalence of non-adherence to TB medications was 14.4%. In the multivariable modified Poisson regression model, non-adherence to TB medications was associated with methadone use (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.69–5.46) and spending 1–2 hours at the hospital (aPR = 4.44; 95% CI: 1.16–16.97). A strong healthcare worker-patient relationship was associated with lower odds of non-adherence (aPR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.25–0.67). Conclusions In this study, non-adherence to TB medications among current TB patients was low. Very bad to good relationship with HCWs was associated with good adherence to TB medications while methadone use, and spending 1–2 hours at the hospital were significantly associated with non-adherence to TB medications. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.