Prevalence and associated factors to acceptance of tuberculosis preventive treatment for latent tuberculosis at health clinics in Putrajaya, Malaysia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is defined as the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen without the evidence of tuberculosis infection. Approximately 5-10% of untreated LTBI would progress to clinically active tuberculosis during their lifetime or usually within 5 years. This study aimed to determine the facilitators, barriers, and associated factors to acceptance of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) among patients attending health clinics in Putrajaya.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study utilizing a questionnaire that included sections on demographic data along with facilitators and barriers to TPT were distributed to newly diagnosed and active LTBI patients who were attending health clinics in Putrajaya between December 2021 to June 2022. Data analysis was done with SPSS v26.0.

RESULTS: 63.8% of 177 patients who were involved in this study accepted TPT. The identified facilitators were, perceived ability to comply with the treatment, able to come for follow up and received comprehensive information about Latent Tuberculosis and its treatment. The most reported barriers to acceptance for TPT were concern about the side effects from treatment, long-waiting time and stigma. Older aged participants (median 37 years old, IQR=11), male gender (71%), other ethnic groups (80%), self-employed (100%), lower education level (100%) and good knowledge (68%) had higher acceptance for TPT. Female patients had 0.43 lower odds of accepting TPT than male patients (95% CI=0.21-0.86, p=0.02).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of acceptance of TPT was 63.8%. The identified facilitators, barriers and determinants can be used in planning strategies to better educate patients on the benefits of TPT.