International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 6 Issue 3, March 2017 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Lived-in Experiences of Tuberculosis Patients Dipanti Das 1 , B. Venkatesan 2 1 M.Sc. Nursing student (2 nd Year), Padmashree Institute of Nursing, Bangalore 2 Associate Professor (Medical Surgical Nursing), Padmashree Institute of Nursing, Bangalore Abstract: Introduction : It is an important public health problem. WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that 2 billion people, or a third of the world’s population, are infected with M. tuberculosis and new infections occur at a rate of about one per second. TB patients, in addition to clinical symptoms, has to deal with several physiological, financial and psychological problems. It is also associated with stigma and discriminations in the society. This study was done to explore the lived-in experiences of tuberculosis patients. Aim of the study : To explore the lived in experience of tuberculosis patient various dimensions. Methods : The research approach adopted was qualitative and the design was phenomenology. purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 15 till data saturation. an in-depth interview was conducted using open ended questions. The audio taped interviews were transcribed, meanings were formulated and emerging themes were identified. Results : Six themes emerged which brought outs the fear, emotions and experiences of patients having tuberculosis. Conclusions : The study revealed the physical, psychological, social, economical, vocational and spiritual effects of tuberculosis on patients. It has brought out many issues; the main issue was the need for education and awareness programs to make public aware of the disease. The study also concluded that there is a need to plan for addressing the psychological and social needs of tuberculosis patients along with medical treatment. Keywords: Tuberculosis patients, DOTs 1. Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is one of the oldest diseases known to humankind, and it is the second leading cause of death from an infection worldwide today. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the global incidence of TB in 2012 was 8.6 million cases, with 1.3 million deaths, predominantly occurring in developing countries. Tuberculosis is the second cause of death from infectious diseases after HIV in the world. It is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. 1 Aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality from TB, DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course) is highly recommended by WHO to control the disease. 2 With the development of effective treatment strategies, the focus of TB management has been shifted from the prevention of mortality to the avoidance of morbidity. As such, there is increased interest in the quality of life (QOL) experienced by individuals being treated for TB. There are numerous aspects of active TB that may lead to a reduction in QOL. Treatment of active TB requires prolonged therapy with multiple potentially toxic drugs that may lead to adverse reactions in a significant number of patients. 3,4 TB patients, in addition to clinical symptoms,has to deal with several physiological, financial and psychological problems. The symptoms and clinical burden of disease often extend beyond the duration of treatment. Also the treatment may be related with several side effects. All these aspects of disease and its management have a huge impact on the overall well being of the patient and burden of these factors can equal and even exceed the physical impact of illness. 5 Despite TB being a curable disease in almost all of new cases, professionals such as psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, and TB analysts have repeatedly indicated that talking about the disease still causes discomfort and unease in the population, especially within the poorer communities. Understanding the meanings conferred to TB by patients within their social settings enables one to approach this disease beyond clinical and conventional care. Patients’ lifestyles and thinking modes have an effect on how they respond to healthcare workers’ interventions and actions. 5 TB is surrounded by intense grief, with implications to different spheres of life, including social relationships. This is due to long-standing negative representations about this disease, which result in stigma and discrimination. 6 Since Ancient Greece, the term ‘stigma’ has stood for bodily signs denoting something rare and evil about the signifier’s moral standing. From patients’ and healthcare professionals’ perspective, TB dimensions indicate that besides its physical impact on patients’ lives, this disease has also a strong emotional impact, given that debilitating symptoms evoke disability, impotence, and self-discrimination. 7 Even after successful completion of treatment, many patients inhibit to visit their acquiesces and from revealing their diagnosis to colleagues and even to their spouses. 8 Such discriminations with TB patients are a key determinant of non-adherence to ATT. Patients are seen of even providing wrong address at ATT centers to avoid stigmatization of them and to their entire family. Patients are also afraid of informing their employers about their diagnosis to avoid losing of job or wages. 26 Women participation is lessened in household activities and they avoid seeking treatment unless and until the disease is far advanced and beyond control. In India, it is also common for women with TB to be rejected by their husbands or be sent away until cured. 9 2. Objectives 1) To explore the lived-in experiences of tuberculosis patients. 2) To explore the various dimensions of the lived-in experiences of tuberculosis patients. Paper ID: ART20171962 2265