Challenges of Adherence in Tuberculosis: Risk Factors for Abandonment and Relapse in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to understand how various factors affect the likelihood of patients abandoning tuberculosis treatment or
experiencing disease relapse. This will be studied in people with tuberculosis in Tacna, Peru, during the most critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. Material and method: A quantitative, relational study conducted on 36 TB patients. A questionnaire validated by experts was used, tested for reliability, and analyzed with the X2 test. Results: A significant relationship (p<0.05) was 
found between abandonment/relapse and age, sex, TB history, recurrence, and contact with TB patients. No significant relationship (p>0.05) was observed with marital status, education, occupation, multidrug resistance, comorbidity (COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, diabetes), harmful habits (smoking, alcoholism, drug use), or perception of health services. Conclusions: There's a significant relationship
between sociodemographic factors like age and sex, and the disease's history (especially recurrence and previous contact with TB), with abandonment and relapse in tuberculosis patients within the COVID-19 context in the Tacna Region, 2022.