Barriers to Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence in Afghan Refugees and Pakistani Nationals

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Keele University have shed light on the critical issue of non-adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment among Afghan refugees and Pakistani nationals living in Pakistan. The study, published in the BMJ Open, identified several personal, sociocultural, and treatment-related barriers contributing to lower treatment adherence. These barriers include lack of awareness about TB and its treatment, stigma, refugee status, gender roles, reliance on traditional and spiritual healing, demanding treatment regimen, and TB-induced depression. Notably, the study found that anxiety and depression related to TB and its treatment are significant contributing factors to non-adherence, highlighting the need for mental health interventions to improve adherence and treatment outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study revealed that non-adherence to TB treatment remains a major challenge in high-burden regions, with few studies examining the sociocultural and emotional barriers to adherence.
  • Among Afghan refugees and Pakistani nationals, patient-related barriers, sociocultural barriers, and treatment-related barriers contribute to lower treatment adherence.
  • Key barriers to treatment adherence include lack of awareness about TB and its treatment, stigma, refugee status, gender roles, reliance on traditional and spiritual healing, demanding treatment regimen, and TB-induced depression.
  • Anxiety and depression related to TB and its treatment are significant contributing factors to non-adherence, warranting the need for mental health interventions.
  • The study employed a qualitative study design with semistructured focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with multisectoral stakeholders, including TB healthcare providers, patients with TB, and their carers.

Statistics:

  • 29 in-depth interviews were conducted with TB healthcare providers, patients with TB, and their carers.
  • 11 focus group discussions were conducted with three categories of participants.
  • 6366 copies of the TB & Outbreaks Week newspaper were sold in October 2025 in the Staffordshire region, United Kingdom.

Sources:

  • Staffordshire, United Kingdom, news reporting originating from NewsRx correspondents
  • Research published in BMJ Open, 2025,15(10)
  • BMJ Publishing Group
  • Keele University
  • School of Medicine, Keele University