Relationship between knowledge and medication adherence among patients with tuberculosis: a cross-sectional survey

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that treatment adherence is one determinant of the successful management of pulmonary tuberculosis therapy. Non-adherence can result in recurrence or treatment failure. Knowledge of tuberculosis is crucial for a patient's adherence to treatment, and the level is proportional to the information obtained. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the knowledge level of pulmonary tuberculosis and adherence to anti-tuberculosis drugs (ATD).Methods: This study is a non-experimental quantitative study with analytic correlation and a cross-sectional approach. Sampling was done at the Umbulharjo 1 Public Health Center, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in November-December 2021, using purposive sampling with 43 respondents. The knowledge level and adherence were measured using a questionnaire and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Meanwhile, the relationship between the variables was analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment correlation test with a significance level of 95%.Results: The results showed that respondents with high, moderate, and low knowledge levels were 88.37%, 11.63%, and 0%, respectively. Respondents with high, moderate, and low adherence to ATD were 95.34%, 4.7%, and 0%, respectively. Furthermore, analysis of the relationship to taking ATD obtained a p-value of 0.001 (<0.05) and a correlation value (r) of 0.609.Conclusion: Most patients had high knowledge and adherence to medication, and the correlation showed a strong relationship between the variables and taking ATD.