Challenges Faced by Patients while Undertaking Treatment for Tuberculosis

Abstract

Despite the immunisation of 92% of the Indian population against tuberculosis with the bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine, India recorded 79,000 deaths due to this bacterial infection. Professionals in the field have tried to find the reason behind both, the high mortality and high infection rate in the country with the aim of eliminating tuberculosis in India by 2025 as part of the TB National Strategic Plan. A significant reason identified for this phenomenon is non-adherence to treatment due to challenges faced by the patients while undertaking treatment. The aim of the present research study is to identify the challenges faced by  Indian tuberculosis patients visiting a dispensary in South Delhi undertaking treatment for tuberculosis and evaluating their relative importance in influencing their treatment experience through a mixed-method approach. Financial difficulties/loss of job/ school was found to have the highest mean rating which mirrors the trend in other developing countries such as Bangladesh. The study has implications for the government at different levels and private hospitals can be convinced that providing free-of-cost treatment is not enough and more budget should be allocated to tuberculosis treatment to ensure that patients receive a wholesome diet during and post-treatment. The need for post-treatment monitoring systems to be developed is also highlighted by the study and can be brought to the notice of authorities. These changes combined would be a great step to improving public health crises such as the transmission of infectious diseases in developing countries like India.