Correlation of self-efficacy and medication adherence with treatment continuity among tuberculosis patients in East Java, Indonesia

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, and treatment adherence is crucial for successful outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between self-effi cacy, medication adherence, and treatment continuity among patients with TB in East Java, Indonesia. This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted in four randomly selected districts of East Java in 2024. The study employed probability sampling with a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using the Guide for Constructing Self-Efficacy Scale and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). A total of 6,792 TB patients participated in this study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, including frequency distribution, percentage calculation, and Spearman’s rank correlation test, with a significance level of 0.05. Among the participants, 70.3% (n=4,775) demonstrated high self-efficacy, whereas 29.7% (n=2,017) showed low self-efficacy. Regarding medication adherence, 60% (n=4,075) exhibited high adherence, and 40% (n=2,719) reported low adherence. Spearman’s rank correlation test revealed a strong positive correlation between self-efficacy and medication adherence (r=0.936, p<0.001). The study findings indicated a significant relationship between self-efficacy, medication adherence, and treatment continuity in patients with TB. These results underscore the importance of addressing psychological factors in TB management programs. Interventions aimed at enhancing patients’ self-efficacy could potentially improve medication adherence and, consequently, treatment outcomes. These results provide a strong rationale for developing comprehensive care models that incorporate medical and psychological interventions to enhance treatment continuity and improve patient outcomes.