Patients’ Experience of Tuberculosis Treatment Using Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS): A Qualitative Study

Mirzaei, Masoud and Behzadifar, Masoud and Behzadifar, Meysam and Keshavarzi, Abouzar and Behzadifar, Maryam and Saran, Maryam (2015) Patients’ Experience of Tuberculosis Treatment Using Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS): A Qualitative Study. Iran Red Crescent Med Journal, 17 (4).

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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. Keywords: Tuberculosis; Treatment; Qualitative Research; Iran

Item Type: Article
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Depositing User: samira sepahvandy
Date Deposited: 28 Sep 2016 07:09
Last Modified: 28 Sep 2016 07:09
URI: http://eprints.lums.ac.ir/id/eprint/241

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