OBJECTIVE: To identify health perceptions and practices and non-adherence to therapy among tuberculosis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative research work consisting of 11 group interviews with 62 tuberculosis patients during 1997-1998 in the Central, Highlands, and Border Regions of Chiapas, Mexico. RESULTS: Perceived causes of tuberculosis included contagion via food utensils, excess work, malnutrition, and cold, as well as other causes unrelated to person-to-person contagion. The resulting incapability to work resulted in an economic crisis for both the patients and their family members. As a result of the social stigma imposed by the disease, patients perceived a negative impact on their personal life, family, work, and community. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of knowledge regarding tuberculosis is an important factor in the selection of and adherence to different care alternatives. Inadequate care provided by health services, including an unsatisfactory physician-patient relationship, resulted in diagnostic delay and non-adherence to therapy. Education programs to promote basic knowledge regarding tuberculosis and its treatment are necessary in this region.
OBJECTIVE: To identify health perceptions and practices and non-adherence to therapy among tuberculosispatients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative research work consisting of 11 group interviews with 62 tuberculosispatients during 1997-1998 in the Central, Highlands, and Border Regions of Chiapas, Mexico. RESULTS: Perceived causes of tuberculosis included contagion via food utensils, excess work, malnutrition, and cold, as well as other causes unrelated to person-to-person contagion. The resulting incapability to work resulted in an economic crisis for both the patients and their family members. As a result of the social stigma imposed by the disease, patients perceived a negative impact on their personal life, family, work, and community. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of knowledge regarding tuberculosis is an important factor in the selection of and adherence to different care alternatives. Inadequate care provided by health services, including an unsatisfactory physician-patient relationship, resulted in diagnostic delay and non-adherence to therapy. Education programs to promote basic knowledge regarding tuberculosis and its treatment are necessary in this region.
Authors: Carolyn M Ford; Angela M Bayer; Robert H Gilman; Dami Onifade; Colleen Acosta; Lilia Cabrera; Carlos Vidal; Carlton A Evans Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2009-12 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Miguel F Doria; Ibrahim Abubakar; Qutub Syed; Sara Hughes; Paul R Hunter Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2006-09 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: M R Baldwin; P P Yori; C Ford; D A J Moore; R H Gilman; C Vidal; E Ticona; C A Evans Journal: Int J Tuberc Lung Dis Date: 2004-12 Impact factor: 2.373