From Knowledge to Treatment Adherence: A Pre-Post Questionnaire-Based Study among Tuberculosis Patients in Primary Healthcrae Centers

Abstract

Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem that requires serious attention, particularly with regard to treatment success, which is highly dependent on patient adherence. Low levels of treatment adherence are frequently associated with limited patient knowledge about the disease, the therapeutic process, and the potential risks of incomplete treatment. This study aims to analyze changes in patients’ knowledge levels following an educational intervention and to examine the influence of knowledge on treatment adherence in tuberculosis management within primary healthcare settings. This study employed a quantitative approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre–post design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered before and after the intervention, involving 30 tuberculosis patients (n = 30) from 17 primary healthcare centers in Baubau City. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed a significant improvement in patients’ knowledge and treatment adherence following the intervention, with the mean knowledge score increasing from 14.10 to 17.20 and statistically significant differences observed between pre- and post-intervention measurements (p < 0.05). Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that patient knowledge had a significant effect on treatment adherence (β = 0.354; p = 0.015), demonstrating that higher levels of knowledge contribute to better adherence behavior. These findings emphasize that enhancing patient knowledge is a key factor in the successful management of tuberculosis and should be supported through continuous, contextual, and behavior-oriented educational interventions aimed at achieving long-term behavioral change.