Knowledge of tuberculosis and prevalence of return after default and treatment failure among patients on directly observed treatment short course therapy at Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Nigeria, and the TB burden is further compounded by the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in the country. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of TB and prevalence of return after default and treatment failure among patients on directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) therapy at Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 patients on DOTS for TB. Data were collected with a set of structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data on patients’ treatment profile were also extracted from their case files and entered into a proforma.Results: A larger proportion 32 (42.6%) of the 75 patients were aged 21–30 years. Majority of respondents 58 (77.3%) had adequate knowledge of TB, and it was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with having secondary and tertiary education. Ten (13.3%) of the 75 respondents have ever stopped taking their anti-TB drugs during the course of their treatment. Of these, majority 6 (60.0%) attributed it to forgetfulness. None of the respondents had treatment failure or fulfilled the criteria to be categorized as return after default.Conclusion: This study showed a high level of knowledge of TB, good compliance with treatment, and absence of return after default and treatment failure among the study participants. These findings underscore the pivotal role of education of members of the public and patients in facilitating appropriate health-seeking behavior, compliance with treatment, and favorable treatment outcome