ADHERENCE TO TUBERCULOSIS THERAPY IN UNILORIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, ILORIN, NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA 1 Chukuma ANYAIKE HIV/AIDS Division, Department of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria 2 Omotoso Ibrahim MUSA Department of Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria 3 OluwoleAdeyemi BABATUNDE (Corresponding Author) Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Center, PMB 201, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria 4 OladimejiAkeem BOLARINWA Department of Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria 5 Kabir Adekunle DUROWADE Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria 6 Oluseyi Samuel AJAYI Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria E-mails: 1 chuxxanyike@yahoo.com, 2 mtosh2002@yahoo.com, 3 wolleking@yahoo.com, 4 drdeji@yahoo.com, 5 kadurowade@yahoo.com, 6 dr.seyisamuel@yahoo.com Abstract: Introduction: Non-adherence to treatment has been one of the main obstacles to the control of tuberculosis. The objective of this study is to investigate the rate of adherence to medication among Tuberculosis (TB) patients. Methodology: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey with analysis of the observed variables in tuberculosis patients. All adults aged 18years and above who were accessing treatment for tuberculosis at the chest clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara Statewere recruited for the study until the desired sample size of 544 was obtained. The sample size was determined using Fisher’s Formula. Structured, pre-tested interviewer – administered questionnaire was used for data collection and data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Frequency tables and cross-tabulation of variables were done and p- value <0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. Result: Respondents who had taken Anti-Tuberculosis drugs for 3-6 months [mean duration of 5.4 months, (SD=±1.8)] were 76.5% and all the TB patients (100%) received pre-treatment adherence instruction. More than three quarters (80.5%) of the patients did not miss their drugs in the last 3 months while majority (90.1%) of the patients did not miss their drugs in the last 7 days. There was statistically significant association between age and treatment adherence among the TB patients, (p=0.0165) with higher adherence among younger age groups. The respondents with no formal education (19.4%) were the highest proportion that missed their drugs. Conclusion & Recommendations: Adherence to Anti-Tuberculosis drugs is sub-optimal. Adherence monitoring plans such as home visiting and care should be sustained and home based care should be encouraged. Keywords: Adherence, Tuberculosis, Therapy. International Journal of Science, Environment ISSN 2278-3687 (O) and Technology, Vol. 2, No 6, 2013, 1441– 1461 Received Sep 18, 2013 * Published December 2, 2013 * www.ijset.net