The Effect of Family Psychoeducation on Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence of Children in Indonesia

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease leading cause of death in the world but treatment adherence the most underrated and understudied factor affecting the outcome of TB therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of family psychoeducation on TB treatment adherence of children. The study used a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The sample was 40 pairs of primary caregivers and children who received TB treatment and experienced no side effects of anti-TB drugs in Wonosari Hospital Indonesia in 2019. The treatment group was given psychoeducation by trained health personnel psychoeducators, while the control group was given education by health workers. Psychoeducation was carried out individually, 3 meetings in the first week of the study. Adherence was measured at the sixth month which was the end of treatment period, using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using multiple logistic regression. The results showed that family psychoeducation had a significant effect on TB treatment adherence in children after controlling for mother’s knowledge (P-value 0.05 ≤ 0.05). Family psychoeducation is a preventive factor for non-adherence to TB treatment. It is important that psychoeducation is provided to all TB patients to reduce psychological problems that can lead to treatment non-adherence.