Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health (Oct 2019)

What Constitutes Health Care Seeking Pathway of TB Patients: A Qualitative Study in Rural Bangladesh

  • Tanvir Shatil,
  • Nusrat Khan,
  • Fakir Md. Yunus,
  • Anita Sharif Chowdhury,
  • Saifur Reza,
  • Shayla Islam,
  • Akramul Islam,
  • Mahfuzar Rahman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2991/jegh.k.190929.001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 4

Abstract

Read online

Given the targeted 4–5% annual reduction of tuberculosis (TB) cure cases to reach the “End TB Strategy” by 2020 milestone globally set by WHO, exploration of TB health seeking behavior is warranted for insightful understanding. This qualitative study aims to provide an account of the social, cultural, and socioeconomic breadth of TB cases in Bangladesh. We carried out a total of 32 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and 16 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in both rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. We covered both BRAC [a multinational Non-governmental Organization (NGO)] and non-BRAC (other NGOs) TB program coverage areas to get an insight. We used purposive sampling strategy and initially followed “snowball sampling technique” to identify TB patients. Neuman’s three-phase coding system was adopted to analyze the qualitative data. Underestimation of TB knowledge and lack of awareness among the TB patients along with the opinions from their family members played key roles on their TB health seeking behavior. Quick decision on the treatment issue was observed once the diagnosis was confirmed; however, difficulties were in accepting the diseases. Nevertheless, individual beliefs, intrinsic ideologies, financial abilities, and cultural and social beliefs on TB were closely inter-connected with the “social perception” of TB that eventually influenced the care seeking pathways of TB patients in various ways. Individual and community level public health interventions could increase early diagnosis; therefore, reduce recurrent TB.

Keywords