BMC Research Notes (Jan 2012)

Adherence to isoniazid preventive therapy in Indonesian children: A quantitative and qualitative investigation

  • Rutherford Merrin E,
  • Ruslami Rovina,
  • Maharani Winni,
  • Yulita Indria,
  • Lovell Sarah,
  • Van Crevel Reinout,
  • Alisjahbana Bachti,
  • Hill Philip C

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
p. 7

Abstract

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Abstract Background It is recommended that young child contacts of sputum smear positive tuberculosis cases receive isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) but reported adherence is low and risk factors for poor adherence in children are largely unknown. Methods We prospectively determined rates of IPT adherence in children Results Eighty-two children eligible for IPT were included, 61 (74.4%) of which had poor adherence. High transport costs (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1-10.2) and medication costs (OR 20.0, 95% CI 2.7-414.5) were significantly associated with poor adherence in univariate analysis. Access, medication barriers, disease and health service experience and caregiver TB and IPT knowledge and beliefs were found to be important determinants of adherence in qualitative analysis. Conclusion Adherence to IPT in this setting in Indonesia is extremely low and may result from a combination of financial, knowledge, health service and medication related barriers. Successful reduction of childhood TB urgently requires evidence-based interventions that address poor adherence to IPT.