The development of home caring guidelines in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with short-course treatment in Naphu Subdistrict, Yangsi Surat District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

The goal of caring for pulmonary tuberculosis patients is to ensure the completion of treatment and prevent a recurrence. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of home care guidelines for pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Tambol Naphu, Yangsi Surat district, Mahasarakham Province. The study was conducted in three stages from October 2021 to September 2022, including an evaluation of the patient care situation, the development of home care guidelines, and an evaluation of their use. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires and analyzed using content analysis, descriptive statistics, and the McNemar Chi-square test. The study found that pulmonary tuberculosis patients suffered from stress, anorexia, and inconsistent medication use. Family caregivers perceived tuberculosis as a stigmatized disease, village health volunteers were concerned about treatment and the epidemic situation in the community, and the multidisciplinary team was inadequate for home visits and follow-up. The home care guidelines for tuberculosis patients included nurse and stakeholder roles and a follow-up plan for patients at home. After using the guidelines, pulmonary tuberculosis patients experienced reduced anxiety and depression, while family caregivers improved their awareness of the disease and caregiving skills with statistical significance (p<0.05). Therefore, nurses, multidisciplinary teams, and family caregivers should continue to provide pulmonary tuberculosis patient care to improve the quality of care in the community.