Behzadifar M, Mirzaei M, Behzadifar M, Keshavarzi A, Behzadifar M, Saran M. Patients' Experience of Tuberculosis Treatment Using Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS): A Qualitative Study.
IRANIAN RED CRESCENT MEDICAL JOURNAL 2015;
17:e20277. [PMID:
26023334 PMCID:
PMC4443395 DOI:
10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.20277]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 09/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Despite effective diagnosis and treatment, prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) is still growing. The directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) strategy to treat TB was introduced by the World Health Organization more than a decade ago. Little is known about patients' experience of TB treatment, according to DOTS, in Iran.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to understand the patients' experience of tuberculosis treatment according to DOTS in Iran.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This study is a qualitative study, using content analysis to examine patients' experience of TB treatment and to understand their compliance during DOTS. In this study, a semi-structured interview with open questions was answered by 40 patients, who had a diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and improved during the course of their treatment. The method of sampling was purposive sample and the interview process lasted until data saturation.
RESULTS
Data analysis resulted in the extraction of six themes, which reflect the experiences of the study participants. The themes are: 1) individual factors; 2) change of the attitudes and beliefs of patients on TB treatment; 3) support terms of patients with tuberculosis; 4) the role of health care professionals; 5) social factors and 6) the financial burden.
CONCLUSIONS
Successful completion of TB treatment requires an effective partnership between the patient and health care professionals, and a harmony between the cultural context, attitude of the patient, family support and health literacy. Future health policies should address these issues to improve patients' adherence to DOTS.
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