Experiences with Tuberculosis Management among Community-Based Care Providers in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Qualitative Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating effective community-based management strategies.
• Understanding the experiences of frontline healthcare providers is crucial for optimizing TB care delivery.
• Existing TB management models may not fully address the complexities of community-based care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of community-based care providers in managing tuberculosis (TB).
• To identify challenges and facilitators in community-level TB care.
• To inform the development of improved TB management strategies.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative study was conducted.
• Purposive sampling was used to recruit 25 community-based care providers.
• Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis.

Main Results:

• Six major themes emerged: "various dissemination channels," "compassionate religious volunteerism," "shortage of resources," "keeping TB cases hidden," "patient impediments to care," and "perceived economic burdens of patients."
• Providers highlighted the need for better resources and strategies to overcome patient-related barriers.
• Stigma and economic factors significantly impact TB case detection and treatment adherence.

Conclusions:

• Effective community-based TB management requires multi-institutional collaboration and patient engagement.
• Addressing resource limitations and patient-specific impediments is vital for sustainable TB control.
• Developing integrated TB care models involving government and non-governmental institutions is recommended.