Relationship of Knowledge to Drug Medication Compliance in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in the Working Area of the Kabawo Health Center

Abstract

Abstract. Compliance with taking medication is essential for the success of therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis patients because irregular treatment can result in resistance (resistance) of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis germs to Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs (OAT) called multi-drug resistance (MDR) and even risk of death. To prevent this, pulmonary TB sufferers need to know information about how it is transmitted, stages and goals of treatment, side effects of drugs, and complications so that it can influence consent, planning, and decision-making. This study aimed to determine the relationship between Knowledge and medication adherence among pulmonary TB sufferers in the Kabawo Community Health Center Working Area. The research method used was a quantitative type with a cross-sectional study design involving a sample of 62 pulmonary TB sufferers using a simple random sampling technique in drawing samples according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data using primary and secondary data were tested using the Fisher exact test. The study results showed a significant relationship between Knowledge and adherence to taking medication in pulmonary TB sufferers in the Kabawo Health Center Working Area according to the Fisher exact test analysis, which obtained a p of 0.022 (<0.05). It is recommended that Knowledge be increased to comply with taking medication.