Abstract:
The high non-adherence to the Multy Drug Teraphy (MDT) regimen has serious implications for the leprosy control program . The purpose of this study was to describe the description of adherence to taking MDT drugs in leprosy patients.
Qualitative research with descriptive observational approach. The independent variable describes the level of adherence to taking MDT medication in leprosy patients, a total of 45 leprosy patients who seek treatment at the Bangil Hospital on 1-20st June,2021. Sampling technique with total sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire for patient characteristics and the MMAS-8 questionnaire for medication adherence. Data analysis with frequency distribution table.
The results showed that almost half of the respondents had a low level of adherence in taking MDT (Multi Drug Therapy) drugs to cure their leprosy, as many as 20 respondents (44.4%) had low drug adherence. Then followed by 17 other respondents (37.8%) who had moderate adherence in taking MDT medication for leprosy, and the last one was only 8 respondents (17.8%) who had high adherence in taking MDT medication for leprosy.
The conclusion is that the average respondent has low adherence to discipline in taking MDT medication for leprosy. This has an impact on the healing process of leprosy which becomes longer. This is evidenced by the length of time respondents suffered from leprosy, mostly more than 12 months, namely 24 people (53.3%). Health workers should be more active and communicative in supervising the treatment of leprosy patients and coupled with strong family support so that it is expected to increase the discipline of taking medication for leprosy patients.
