Social aspects of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Indonesia

Tuberculosis (TB) patients have not only medical but also social problems related to their illness, which may influence their motivation for the completion of treatment. This study investigated the social aspects of patients with TB in an urban area of Jakarta, Indonesia. Most TB patients had poor nutritional status and lived in crowded environments. They faced joblessness and negative attitudes from their neighbors and relatives. A few of the patients were afraid that they would not find a partner; others said that their diseases impaired their marriages. We found that patients with a subnormal body mass index restricted their social contact with their family more than patients with a normal body mass index. In general, patients were supported by their families, both financially and socially. Our findings suggest that priority should be given to developing programs aimed at strengthening the family support of TB patients.