Patients’ experience of tuberculosis treatment using directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS)‎ ; a qualitative study

Abstract EN

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.