Exploring The Barriers Of Community Participation In Prevention And Care Of Tuberculosis From Patients’, Healthcare Providers’ And Community Member’s Perspective, In Boloso Sore Weda, Wolayta Zone , Snnpr, Ethiopia. A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: In developing countries, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the major cause of morbidity and mortality. To reduce the loss of lives and economical burden that TB poses up on citizens, early case detection and successful treatment of infected cases are very essential mainly with active community participation in prevention and care of TB. This study was aimed to explore potential barriers to community participation in prevention and care of TB in Wolayta Zone of SNNPR, Ethiopia.

Method: Descriptive phenomenological research methodology was employed in the study. A total 64 participants were chosen using purposive sampling technique. Participants in the study were from various sections of society. Of these, 24 were TB patients on TB treatment and former TB patients who were recovered, 18 were health professionals and 21 were Key Informants which were selected from the community to provide key information. Data were gathered through focus groups and in-depth interviews. Using the NVivo 12 program (created by QSR International Qualitative Software Developer, Melbourne, Australia), interviews were audio recorded, verbatim transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed.

Results:Numerous barriers of community participation in prevention and care of TB were recognized by the study's participants and were organized into four main themes and twelve subthemes: (1) From patient perspective, such as the patient's socio-political, economic and cognitive level, willingness of the patient to be part of community participation, the TB status of the patient and personal characteristics of the patient(2) From the perspective of health institutions, health facilities easily accessible, have enough trained manpower, have sufficient diagnostic and treatment resources, (3) From community perspective:- socio-economic and culture of the society ,willingness of society, previous experience of the community 4) From the perspective of government policies and guidelines which were being implemented currently, training volunteers from the community ,willing to provide logistics for volunteers, organization of civic associations

Conclusion: In conclusion, there are a number of patient-related, community related,healthcare system-relatedand policy related  barriers thatimpend community participation, which is one of the way to success in prevention and control of TB. Enhancing community health literacy, scaling up access, and improving the caliber of TB diagnostic services, conducting routine supportive supervision and timely feedback, setting up routine on job training and motivating volunteers and working with local political leaders to address budgetary issues for TB and infrastructure challenges are essential interventions to improve the community participation.