The deadliest disease nobody thinks about. Correlating financial incentives and adherence to treatment for Tuberculosis patients
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Maria-Larisa Șoroagă [1]
| Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has been a persistent global health challenge for thousands of years, known historically by various names and often romanticized in 19th-century literature. Despite advancements in medical science, TB remains a significant issue, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions like Romania, which has one of the highest TB mortality rates in the European Union. The disease’s ability to remain latent and become active when the immune system is weakened contributes to its persistence and danger. Adherence to TB treatment is crucial for controlling the disease and preventing the development of drug resistance. Factors affecting adherence include socio-economic status, education, access to healthcare, and social support. Financial incentives have been shown to improve treatment adherence among vulnerable populations, suggesting that addressing economic barriers is essential for effective TB control. This study explores the socio-historical context of TB and evaluates the effectiveness of financial incentives in improving treatment adherence, especially for multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Moreover, a quantitative analysis was performed on MDR-TB and XDR-TB patients in order to achieve a comprehensive grasp on the interaction between financial incentives and adherence to treatment. This article highlights the importance of a patient-centered approach in TB treatment, incorporating psychological and social support to enhance adherence. More precisely, the combination of socio-historical and quantitative analyses pinpoints the fact that improving living conditions and providing financial aid are vital components in the battle against TB. Keywords: Tuberculosis; Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis; Mortality rates; Drug resistance; Financial incentives; |
[1] Doctoral School of Sociology, University of Bucharest, Romania, soroaga.larisa@gmail.com.