Patient education and adherence to tuberculosis treatment : - Indonesian nurses share their experiences

Abstract:

Aim

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore Indonesian nurses’ experiences of patient education and patients’ adherence to TB treatment.

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that 9.6 million people in the world suffer from. Indonesia is one of the world’s 22 high-burden countries with over 320.000 cases of TB in 2014. The UN’s (United Nation) goal is to have ended the TB epidemics by the year 2030. Nurses play a central role in accomplishing adherence to treatment and prevention of TB.

Method

To fulfil the aim a qualitative method using semi-structured interviews was used. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The transcribed data was analysed by using a qualitative content analysis with a manifest approach.

Findings

The findings, based on the result of nine interviews, showed four themes: “Strategies for patient education”, “Factors affecting patient education and adherence to treatment”, ”Outcomes of patient education” and ”Feelings and opinions about patient education”.

Conclusion

This study showed that the nurses use different strategies when practicing patient education. It was also shown that the nurses are well aware about patient-related factors and how they affect patient education and adherence to TB treatment.

Keywords

Tuberculosis, nursing care, patient education, adherence