Pathways to treatment for tuberculosis in Bali: patient perspectives.
The authors explored treatment-seeking behavior among people with tuberculosis (TB) in Bali, Indonesia. They conducted in-depth interviews with 5 people who had been diagnosed with TB and 6 people who were suspected of having TB but who had not yet received a diagnosis. Participants reported frequent delays in obtaining a diagnosis of TB and obtaining adequate treatment. The authors describe issues associated with treatment-seeking behavior using the following five main themes: awareness of TB-causes, symptoms, and seriousness; influence of others; treatment quality; treatment barriers and default; and stigma and fear. Their findings reinforce the importance of a comprehensive TB control program that provides quality diagnostic and treatment services, and patient and community education, and enables patient involvement in treatment.
Watkins
Rochelle E
RE
Division of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia.
Plant
Aileen J
AJ
D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control*