Hardship of Tuberculosis Treatment Access and Adherence among Myanmar Migrants at Maesai Hospital, Thailand

Abstract

Tuberculosis in Thailand has been increasing its violence as increment of deaths and number of reported new cases. Crucial to the rising tuberculosis patients is HIV/AIDS coinfection or international migrants. This study aims to explore treatment access and adherence of Myanmar tuberculosis patients who had been receiving treatment in Thailand. In-depth interview and observation of 28 Myanmar patients at Maesai Hospital in Chiang Rai Province, and home-visit of 10 cases were conducted during November 2010 to April 2011. Results indicate that, additional to economic hardship, social factors-stigma and discrimination against tuberculosis or HIV and lack of social support-could affect treatment access and adherence of Myanmar patients. Moreover, lack knowledge of tuberculosis and HIV and personal health behaviors- including self medication, changing treatment places without referral system and poor health condition- were also negatively impact the treatment access.