Abstract:
Background: Tuberculosis is among major public health problems throughout the world and leading cause of death among curable infectious disease. The World Health Organization lists Ethiopia as one of the 30 high burden tuberculosis, tuberculosis/HIV and multidrug resistant tuberculosis countries in 2018. Strengthening tuberculosis patient’s knowledge about tuberculosis and treatment are believed to improve tuberculosis treatment adherence. Studies on the role of patient’s knowledge on tuberculosis treatment adherence are limited. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the role of patient’s knowledge about tuberculosis on treatment adherence in public health facilities in Yeka Sub city, Addis Ababa, 2019 Methods: A facility based cross sectional study was conducted in Yeka sub city, Addis Ababa. Data were collected from sample of 256 patients receiving tuberculosis treatment. Mean score described knowledge about tuberculosis as good or poor when above and below the mean respectively, while adherence to tuberculosis treatment was measured using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) with eight item score data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 for window. Results: The result showed that 36.7% (95%CI: 30.9-42.6) of tuberculosis patients have good knowledge about tuberculosis,while 28.9% (95%CI: 23.8-34.8) have good knowledge about tuberculosis treatment. Tuberculosis treatment adherence level was79.3 % (95%CI: 74.2-84). Patients who have good knowledge about tuberculosis disease were 2.7 times (AOR =2.7, 95% CI: 1.04-7.3) more likely to adhere to tuberculosis treatment compared to those with poor knowledge. Study participants who have good knowledge about tuberculosis treatment were no significant difference compared to those who have poor knowledge (AOR= 0.6, 95%CI: 0.20-1.78). Conclusion and recommendation: The level tuberculosis treatment adherence observed in this study is comparable with a previous study conducted in Addis Ababa. The study showed that respondents who had good knowledge about tuberculosis are more likely to adhere to tuberculosis treatment. Thus, implementation of comprehensive interventions, focusing on knowledge of tuberculosis patients about tuberculosis disease and transmission of tuberculosis, is important to enhance tuberculosis treatment adherence.