Adherence to Multi-Drug Therapy among Patients Diagnosed with Leprosy at the Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom, Southern Nigeria
Date
2019-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University Of Ghana
Abstract
Leprosy is a special public health problem because of its potential for social consequences
and permanent disabilities. The multidrug therapy has been efficacious in the treatment of
leprosy, including prevention of disability when initiated early. However, adherence rates to
the MDT have been below expectations in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to
determine the factors influencing MDT adherence in Qua Iboe Church leprosy Hospital,
Southern Nigeria. This was a cross sectional study carried out among 83 patients diagnosed
with leprosy within the past two years and taking MDT medication recruited from Qua Iboe
Church Leprosy Hospital, Ekpene Obom. The 8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale
(MMAS-8) was used to measure adherence. Influencing factors were categorized under
personal, condition-related, health system and drug-related factors. The study showed a
gourmet adherence rate of 10.8 per cent. Waiting time greater than 3 hours was negatively
correlated with good MDT adherence and this was statistically significant.
(p<0.05).Improvements in MDT adherence can be achieved by optimizing personal factors,
reducing health system barriers and responsive management of adverse drug reaction
Description
MPH.
Keywords
Leprosy, Multi-Drug Therapy, Qua Iboe Church Leprosy Hospital, Southern Nigeria, Public Health