Determinants of Tuberculosis Medication Adherence among TB Patients at Kiambu Level Five Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya

Isaac Nthiga — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of Tuberculosis (TB) medication adherence at Kiambu Level Five Hospital in Kiambu County, Kenya. Despite the implementation of treatment interventions, non-adherence remains a significant challenge in the region. An analytical cross-sectional study design was used, with 141 participants selected through systematic sampling from the TB clinic. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors, with TB medication adherence measured using the Morisky Medication-Taking Adherence Scale (MMAS). Descriptive and inferential approaches were conducted, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The majority of participants were male (59.6%), aged 25–34 years, married (34%), and had secondary education (35.6%). Most participants (75%) reported adhering to their TB medication. A Pearson's Chi-square test revealed significant associations between medication adherence and factors such as Age, occupation, TB knowledge, and specific challenges related to adherence (e.g., forgetting medication or feeling hassled about treatment) (p < 0.05). Monthly income and land ownership were predictors of adherence (p = 0.010, t = 2.654; p = 0.025, t = 2.293). Knowledge about TB strongly predicted adherence (AOR: 0.182; 95% CI: 0.049–0.674; p = 0.011). The study concludes that socioeconomic factors and TB knowledge are key determinants of adherence and recommends community-based educational programs and further longitudinal studies to track adherence patterns over time and strengthen causal understanding.

Molecular identification of Entamoeba histolytica from diarrhetic patients in Baghdad province, Iraq

Thuraya Khaled Abdulwahed — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study used molecular detection technologies to identify Entamoeba histolytica, the amoeba causing amoebiasis, in people suffering from diarrhoea. We gathered stool samples from one hundred people experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea and classified them according to their age and gender. The findings of an inspection using a direct microscope showed that ninety per cent of the samples had Entamoeba germs. According to the microscopic inspection findings, the infection rate with Entamoeba was much greater in females (86.73%) than in men (70.8%), and this difference was significant at the level of 0.05 for the P value. The investigation also indicated significant infection rates in the age categories of 5-11 years and more than 50 years (respectively 85.23% and 78.81%) but a reduced infection rate in the age group of more than 2 years (43.45%). The nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction, in which the small subunit gene was used, was able to establish that the infection rate for E. histolytica 91 was greater (91 %). The prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infection is much higher in females (89.23%) than it is in males (82.35%). Both the older age group (>2) and the younger age group (28-48 years) had an infection rate that was one hundred per cent attributable to E. histolytica. Based on gender, age, and the results of nested multiplex PCR, this gave the proportion of people that were infected with Entamoeba histolytica.

Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (JMHS)

Determinants of Tuberculosis Medication Adherence among TB Patients at Kiambu Level Five Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya

Molecular identification of Entamoeba histolytica from diarrhetic patients in Baghdad province, Iraq