Observation of tuberculosis patients by treatment supporters

M.Cur.Tuberculosis is regarded as a global health problem as accelerated by the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In South Africa it is regarded as a top national health priority. Taking treatment regularly prevents multi-drug resistance TB. The introduction of Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) ensures that treatment supporters observe TB patients swallow tablets under direct supervision. In the area of research, treatment supporters are trained by South African National Tuberculosis Association trainers to supervise treatment. It happened on a regular basis that patients complain about various aspects of the observational progress, resulting in change of treatment supporters, some preferred to be supervised from the clinic. The researcher developed interest to find out about the shortcomings in the observation of TB patients by treatment supporters, so as to address those shortcomings. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research study was conducted to identify the experience of treatment supporters in observing tuberculosis patients on TB treatment and also, the experience of TB patients as observed by treatment supporters. Permission was obtained from both treatment supporters and TB patients. A pilot phenomenological interview was conducted from one TB patient and one treatment supporter supervising TB treatment, who met the selection criteria. The phenomenological interviews were conducted in Northern Sotho (Pedi), Shangaan, Tswana, Xhosa, Zulu, Southern Sotho and Northern Sotho (Tlokwa) from both treatment supporters and TB patients. The samples comprises of 14 TB patients and 14 treatment supporters supervising those TB patients. Steps were taken to ensure trustworthiness. Tesch’s method of data-analysis was followed to analyze the data. Results indicated that there are interfering factors relating to the working relationship between the TB patients and the treatment supporter. From the findings, facilitative factors are used as proposals to promote the observation of TB patients by treatment supporters. Strategies are described from the rationale, which explain how the proposal can be reached. The strategies were based on the study findings and the literature reviewed