Psychology and adherence of tuberculosis patients: Do illness perceptions predict poor adherence to TB management?

Abstract

To quantitatively explore illness and medication perceptions of tuberculosis patients and to examine their impact on patient adherence to medical management. A questionnaire eliciting illness and medicines perceptions and socio-demographic data was designed. TB patients in three TB services in North East London were recruited and completed the questionnaire. Further data, including the outcome measure of clinic attendance, were collected from clinical notes. Bivariate data analysis was conducted and variables most associated with the outcome measure were entered for regression analysis. Recruited patients were characteristic of TB patients in North East London (n = 109). Patients reported perceptions of short timeline, greater personal control and treatment control over their illness, somewhat incoherent and negative emotional perceptions of their TB, and general perceptions of the benefit of their medicines. Correlations were observed between illness and medicines perceptions, and with self-reported and outcome adherence measures. Regression analysis identified that patients speaking English as a first language and patients with negative emotional representations were more likely to miss scheduled clinic appointments. Illness perceptions may present modifiable factors for use in interventions designed to promote TB patient adherence. Further research needs to clarify the relationship between illness/medication perceptions and adherence.