Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) constitutes a global public health crisis, which endangers patients' health, poses a significant transmission risk, and imposes a substantial strain on the healthcare system. Medication adherence is essential for enhancing treatment outcomes and mitigating the proliferation of DR-TB. PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the real-life dilemmas and facilitators affecting medication adherence in DR-TB patients and provide a reference for improving medication compliance in DR-TB patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. 26 patients with DR-TB who were treated with oral medication regimen in a tertiary hospital in Luzhou City, Sichuan Province from March to May 2025 were selected through purposive sampling method for semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Five themes and fourteen sub-themes affecting medication adherence of DR-TB patients were identified, encompassing: Individual physiological traits (age-related variations in the perception of future time, polypharmacy in patients with comorbidities), intricate psychology and behaviors (misconceptions of medication effects, psychological distress resulting from stigma, misunderstanding of disease conditions, downward social comparison, divergences in medicine administration practices), synergy in social networks (multi-dimensional support of family members, support and communication from health providers), differences in family finances and living situations (significant family financial strain, influence of family roles), and constraints on medical insurance services (disparities in health insurance coverage, intricacy of the reimbursement procedure, constraints on reimbursement amounts and coverage). CONCLUSION: Adherence to medication among DR-TB patients is influenced by intricate factors. Health professionals should intervene on the basis of a comprehensive and dynamic assessment of medication adherence to address these influencing factors at various levels, thereby enhancing adherence and therapeutic outcomes.