Comparing different Classification Algorithms to predict the Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment for new cases in Kenya

Abstract

This study determines factors that are associated to non-adherence to tuberculosis treatment in Kenya. In the African Region, over 25% of the tuberculosis deaths occur. Kenya is among the 30 high burden countries accounting for more than 80% of tuberculosis cases in the world. In Kenya, TB is the number five killer. Due to the high cases of TB, WHO established a global plan called End TB Strategy that was aimed at reducing the tuberculosis deaths by 95%. Adherence to TB treatment is a key element to ensuring a successful control TB program, however, not every patient adheres to TB treatment. Non adherence to TB treatment results in the increase in number of deaths, drug resistance by patients, length of illness and disease transmission, which have economic consequences for patients and their families due to loss of income and cost of the health system. A system that tells if a patient will adhere to the tuberculosis treatment or not can help to curb the non-adherence rates.