Perspective of tuberculosis patients on family support and care in rural Maharashtra.
BACKGROUND
Role of patients' family in TB-control programme has received least attention in research and negligible attention is paid to support and care experiences of patients in rural societies.


OBJECTIVE
Present study aims at collecting qualitative data on how tuberculosis patients define support and care during illness, and document their experiences and perspectives about care and support.


METHODS
This is a qualitative study with grounded theory approach. Data were collected by conducting series of 15 focus group discussions (FGD) covering 113 patients from rural Pune district of Maharashtra. Thematic analysis was undertaken after preparing detailed transcripts of each FGD.


RESULTS
Good support and care was considered as receiving necessary attention and help in daily routine, monitary help, emotional and moral support and motivation for early recovery. Family provided support by accompanying to the health centre, reminding about medicines, giving meals. Female patients reported less sympathetic attitude and unfair treatment at husband's home while males received emotional and physical support from spouse. Stigma led to discrimination and hindered the support and care mechanism.


CONCLUSIONS
Family awareness and preparedness for providing support need to be strengthened. Counselling and motivation during each visit are the keys to successful completion of treatment. There is need to make counsellors/psychologists available in the existing system.
Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Pune, Ganesh Khind, Pune 411007, Maharashtra. aarati@unipune.ac.in
Aarti
A
Kaulagekar-Nagarkar
Deepali
D
Dhake
Preeti
P
Jha
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055815:Young Adult